Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

CFB world enraged over controversial Shaun Wade ejection for targeting

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 12/28/19

In a CFP Semifinal where the Ohio State Buckeyes were dominating the Clemson Tigers, the entire game might have just flipped on a controversial targeting call that resulted in Buckeyes cornerback Shaun Wade’s ejection.

Wade took down Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a huge sack on third down that pushed the Tigers out of Buckeyes’ territory. What should have been a huge play for Ohio State’s defense, instead, was ruled a targeting on Wade just because Lawrence turned towards him.

Ohio State DB Shaun Wade has been ejected for Targeting.#CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/MCdcODEfud
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) December 29, 2019

The decision proved to be extremely costly for the Buckeyes. The call not only gave Clemson a first down, but it resulted in Ohio State losing one of its best cornerbacks for the game on a critical drive.

It didn’t take long for Clemson’s offense to take advantage of the questionable call. The Tigers moved downfield quickly before Travis Etienne ran in the eight-yard score to turn Ohio State’s 16-point lead into a 16-7 game.

Travis Etienne doesn’t quit.

Clemson is on the board.

(via @sportscenter)pic.twitter.com/Rxkbngezlq
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) December 29, 2019

Immediately after the call, college football fans and analysts erupted with anger at the decision. The outrage only intensified as the Tigers seized on the second chance and scored, changing the entire outlook for the game.

That’s just awful targeting has got to go as an offensive player when u see someone coming to hit you your body level is going to dip to avoid it and sometimes u drop into it but u got to give these kids another chance
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) December 29, 2019

I abhor that players in CFB get kicked out for Targeting. At least on the first call.
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) December 29, 2019

College refs make NFL refs look best refs in the world.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 29, 2019

I’ll admit I don’t watch enough college football to know, but hard to understand how that was an ejectable play.
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) December 29, 2019

Brutal penalty for OSU. Wade is a 1st round player.

His absence was felt in the Michigan game.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 29, 2019

That’s an unbelievable targeting charge.. I’m all for player safety but football is a collision sport. It’s impossible to legislate contact out of the game..
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) December 29, 2019