Late in Penn State football’s 38-14 loss at Ohio State this past Saturday, there was a play that many felt should have resulted in the ejection of OSU star safety Caleb Downs.
It looked to many like Downs had hit Penn State TR Khalil Dinkins in a way that called for a targeting penalty, and initially, that was the call on the field.
But after further review, the refs overturned the call, and Downs stayed in the game.
Later in the game, Downs intercepted Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer in the end zone.
Now, since Ohio State was already up by 24 midway through the fourth quarter, Downs being ejected would not have impacted the rest of the game. With that said, it seems that the people criticizing the officiating have a reasonable gripe.
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith didn’t have a lot to say about the call during his weekly presser Monday, but he made it clear that he disagreed with the decision.
“You know, the referees get paid to do a job,” Smith said. “From our naked eye it looked like the definition of targeting.”
Smith was also asked if he was ok with no Penn State players challenging Downs afterward the hit.
“In regards to the reaction of it, we play a violent game and hits happen all the time. That’s called discipline,” Smith said. “We’re not going to react to what type of hit it was. You know, you’ve got to line up and play the next snap. Let the referees referee.”
Penn State looks to get its first win in more than a month Saturday when No. 2 Indiana comes to Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Fox.
