The 2025 Peach Bowl was a must watch from start to finish — but one ruling by the officials had fans questioning what a targeting penalty truly is. Even Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark had something to say about it.
Big 12 Commissioner Releases Statement Following Peach Bowl; CFP Officiating Needs to Be Addressed
The Peach Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinal featuring the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils was an instant classic.
Texas got out to a quick start before Cam Skattebo led the Sun Devils all the way back, running and throwing for touchdowns. Then, the double overtime finish. The Longhorns eventually were able to pull the game out, 39-31, to advance to the CFP semifinals and await the winner of the Rose Bowl.
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But not all the chatter after the game was on the thrilling contest that just took place.
The officiating crew, from the Big 12, came under fire for a call — or, rather, non-call — that was made with just 1:03 left in the fourth quarter.
The ball lay at the ASU 38-yard line. Sun Devil quarterback Sam Leavitt, facing a 3rd and 15, threw across the middle to wide receiver Melquan Stovall. Stovall caught the ball, and within a split second of turning up the field, collided with Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe.
How is this not targeting?
Texas vs Arizona State #PeachBowl pic.twitter.com/EHpyQQ5ceP
— Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) January 1, 2025
Stovall immediately went limp, needing medical attention.
He was five yards short of a first down — a punt situation for the Sun Devils.
Amid the injury timeout, head official Larry Smith announced the review of targeting. The NCAA defines targeting as any hit that “goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball.”
Taaffe, coming up from his safety position, seemed to make forcible contact with his helmet to Stovall’s helmet. ESPN, replaying the hit from numerous angles, brought in their rules expert Matt Austin for his take.
“We definitely have a defenseless receiver, and just as he’s turning after catching the ball he gets hit in the head by the defender,” Austin said. “So, I would not be surprised if this is called targeting from the booth.”
The implications of a targeting penalty would be huge: a first down for the Sun Devils with the ball being placed at the Texas 37-yard line due to the 15-yard penalty. 1:03 would remain on the clock. Needing only a field goal to win the game, Arizona State would benefit greatly with the call going their way. Everything was pointing towards that being the case.
After a brief discussion with his fellow officials, Smith walked back onto the field.
“After review, there is no foul for targeting.”
The stadium erupted; cheers from the Longhorn side and boos from Sun Devil side.
Arizona State was forced to punt, giving the ball back to Texas with 52 seconds remaining. The Longhorns were able to drive the ball down the field and attempt a 38-yard field goal as time expired.
Fortunately for the Sun Devils — and the officials — Texas kicker Bert Auburn’s kick banged off the left upright.
No good, sending the game into overtime and giving a level playing field back to both teams.
The fact that it even got to that point had many questioning the officiating; more specifically, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark. Following the game, he released a statement calling for changes within the CFP officiating.
“I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark. Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed.”
These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”
A strong sentiment pushed by Yormark; but arguably, rightfully so.
Yormark just watched a team from his conference lose out on an extremely advantageous opportunity to win the Peach Bowl and advance to the CFP semifinals.
The call, without question, affected the outcome of the game.
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