Former Georgia Bulldogs defense tackle Bear Alexander, who now plays for the USC Trojans, was emotional after getting ejecting for targeting in the final two minutes of the USC-Utah game.
Alexander had a big game against Utah. He recorded seven total tackles, but had a couple of critical penalties against Utah.
As usual, most targeting plays are controversial. Alexander made contact with Utah’s quarterback in the head, but it was not with an incredible amount of force.
Utah went on to score a field goal in the final moments of the game to win 34-32 and end the College Football Playoff hopes of USC for a second straight season.
Is this a targeting penalty?
I agree with the roughing the passer call, but how is this targeting on Bear Alexander?
Just seems like an unfortunate football play to me
— 𝙙𝙤𝙩 (@dotwav___) October 22, 2023
Alexander emotional after penalty
Bear Alexander is emotional after being called for targeting pic.twitter.com/erv9b0rWCk
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 22, 2023
Fortunately, players don’t have to leave the sidelines after targeting penalties anymore.
Alexander's penalty came at a critical moment
Bear Alexander is called for roughing the passer on third down. Absolutely brutal penalty at the worst possible time. Utah is now at the 49-yard line and only needs to get in field goal position.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) October 22, 2023
Bear Alexander had one of his better games of the year
Bear Alexander makes a play
Zachariah Branch makes a play
Caleb Williams makes a play
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Sid (@SidwardSports) October 22, 2023
Overall, an up-and-down day due to Alexander’s penalties.
Alexander finished with multiple penalties
Ooooof. Bear Alexander just went berserk and got a Personal foul on a 4th down goaline stop which led to a Utah go ahead TD. Hate to see it….
— Athens Steve (@rainy_steve) October 22, 2023
Fan disagrees with targeting call
Bear Alexander just roughed the passer on what could best be described as a Power Smooch
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) October 22, 2023
Hard for a defender to stop their momentum
USC is called for targeting here..pic.twitter.com/tOlS626Xlwhttps://t.co/GI3WfZ8HNP
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 22, 2023
USC sad after defeat
*Bear Alexander’s teammates looking at him in the locker room* #USC #Utah #CollegeFootball #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/Vd8eDmQeYn
— Notorious🐊🧡💙 (@NotoriousMay15) October 22, 2023
Alexander after the loss: 'I'll be better'
I’ll be better, we’ll be better ✌🏾#FightOn
— Bear Alexander (@BearAlexander_) October 22, 2023
a
Georgia's defense remains better than USC's
I mean, I could be wrong, but I'm starting to think that Bear Alexander might have been wrong when he said USC's defense was as physical as Georgia's 🤷♂️
— Sooner118 (@sooner118) October 22, 2023
USC coach Lincoln Riley after the loss
Lincoln Riley after #USC’s 34-32 loss to Utah in the final seconds:
“As gut-wrenching a defeat as I can remember in my career.”
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) October 22, 2023
