LEXINGTON, Ken. – One sour note in UT’s 52-21 blowout over Kentucky on Saturday night was the second-half ejection of cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who was called for targeting a UK receiver.
Officials threw the flag initially for the 15-yard penalty and automatic ejection. They then went to replay and upheld the decision. By rule, since it happened in the second half, Moseley, who lost his starting cornerback job to Justin Martin on Saturday but still played extensive snaps, will also be forced to sit out the first half of UT’s game against South Carolina next Saturday.
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones was asked if the Vols plan to appeal the controversial hit to the SEC league office.
“There are only so many things I can say,” Jones said after the game. “All I can say is we have a young man who is trying to play exceptionally hard, and you know, there isn’t a better person than Emmanuel Moseley. We’ll do everything we can to state our case.”
A closer look appears to show that Moseley made contact with Kentucky receiver Garrett Johnson, who might not be classified as defenseless since he took several steps after first touching the ball, with primarily a shoulder to shoulder hit that caught a little bit of his helmet as well.
How is this targeting? https://t.co/bWa90E5Xht
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) November 1, 2015
The NCAA classifies targeting as:
Rule 9-1-3: Targeting and initiating contact with the crown of the helmet. No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.
Rule 9-1-4: Targeting and initiating contact to head or neck area of a defenseless player. No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul.
