It didn’t take long for ACC referees to draw the ire of college football fans in 2023, thanks to a questionable targeting call that caused quite an uproar early in Friday’s Louisville-Georgia Tech game.
The Week 1 matchup was temporarily paused during the game’s third drive for a review after Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King took a hit from Cardinals defensive back Benjamin Perry on a scramble. The play saw Perry and safety Josh Minkins converge on King simultaneously following a six-yard scamper, with Perry appearing to make incidental contact with King’s head and neck area as he attempted a late slide.
After flagging Perry for illegal contact, and after reviewing the play, the officiating crew opted to eject the redshirt sophomore for targeting, much to the chagrin of CFB and Cardinals fans alike.
#Louisville DB Benjamin Perry was flagged & ejected for targeting for this hit pic.twitter.com/Kjv1j26jB8
— FOLLOW: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) September 1, 2023
While most fans know of the rule changes and increased emphasis on player, and specifically quarterback, safety in recent years, Perry’s tackle still sparked reactions from fans both confused and frustrated by what appeared to be the incorrect call.
Needless to say, with the season just starting, it already appears that ACC officials could be in for a long ’23 campaign, based on Friday night’s reactions:
I have more patience and understanding with the targeting rule than the vast majority of people who watch college football.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) September 2, 2023
That said, the targeting on a QB who goes into a slide right as defenders are closing in is just not fair.
ACC refs calling targeting. Shocked
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) September 1, 2023
ACC officiating is ridiculously soft. Two pauses for review for targeting on THE SAME DRIVE
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) September 1, 2023
ACC refs heard your complaints about the new clock rules making games too short so they’ve adjusted by increasing the number of targeting reviews
— Hank Lee (@hanklee89) September 1, 2023
I would say the refs have it out for Louisville but the ACC and bogus targeting calls go hand in hand #ACC
— Covers Club Chris (@CoversClubChris) September 1, 2023
There HAS to be a targeting 1 and targeting 2 rule added asap! One is a penalty and the other IF ITS FLAGRANT then it’s an ejection. STOP taking these kid’s opportunities away from them when they only have a few chances to showcase their talent.
— Scott Radcliff (@Scottyrad89) September 2, 2023
