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Did Georgia's Dan Jackson commit targeting on QB Haynes King during forced fumble?

zac al-khateeb, usa today network
·3-min read
Did Georgia's Dan Jackson commit targeting on QB Haynes King during forced fumble?

(This story has been updated with new information).

The Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry between No. 6 Georgia and Georgia Tech has some clean, old-fashioned controversy.

The issues arose late in the fourth quarter with the Yellow Jackets (7-5, 5-3 in ACC play) sporting a 27-20 lead with 2:05 remaining in Friday night's game. Facing third-and-1, Georgia Tech could have iced the game with another first down against the Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2 SEC) in an upset that would have massive ramifications on the College Football Playoff race.

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Except, quarterback Haynes King fumbled the ball on the QB sneak following a hard hit by Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson. It was immediately recovered by Bulldogs defender Chaz Chambliss, leading to a game-tying Bulldogs score with 1:01 remaining. The game eventually went to overtime, where Georgia won 44-42 in the eight overtimes.

But Yellow Jackets fans and neutral observers alike wondered whether officials on the field missed targeting by Jackson. Indeed, a replay posted by Georgia football's official account showed what appeared to be textbook targeting by Jackson, as he lowered his head and appeared to hit King's facemask with the crown of his helmet:

However, following a review of the play — in which officials confirmed Georgia recovered the King fumble — no mention was made of potential targeting, either by officials or by announcers on the "SEC on ABC" broadcast.

Considering the stakes of the game and the potential for a rare upset by a top-10 Georgia team, however, the college football world was incensed at what it thought was a missed call in a pivotal moment.

Here's more:

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What is targeting in college football?

The NCAA defines targeting as meeting one of the following criteria:

  • Leading with the crown of the helmet

  • Making forcible contact to head or neck area of a defenseless player

Should a player be penalized for targeting, it would incur a 15-yard penalty and ejection of the offending player.

College football world reacts to targeting no-call

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did officials miss Georgia targeting on Haynes King forced fumble?