Dabo Swinney rips how targeting is handled by refs: 'I'm gonna have to go to a seminar'

Clemson freshman linebacker Sammy Brown was ejected for targeting during Saturday’s win over Pitt. Brown hit Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell late in the first half on a third-and-long and officials determined the hit was illegal.

Brown didn’t make contact with Yarnell’s head, but it was ruled that he struck the Pitt QB with the crown of his helmet.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney made it clear during his postgame press conference that he wasn’t a fan of the call.

“I don’t know what it is. I don’t know. I don’t know,” Dabo Swinney said. “I mean I’m going to have to go to a seminar in the offseason or something – targeting anonymous or something. I don’t know. I don’t know what it is. I really don’t. I have no idea. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know what it is. I really don’t.”

The loss of Sammy Brown was a big one for Clemson as starting linebacker and leading tackler Wade Woodaz was already out for the game due to an injury. Ultimately, the Tigers were able to overcome being down a couple of linebackers and outlasted Pitt 24-20 for a critical ACC win.

Commentators disagreed with Dabo Swinney on targeting call

While Dabo Swinney felt like the targeting call on Sammy Brown was incorrect, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said on the broadcast that the correct call was made.

“A clear targeting there,” McElroy said. “Brown starts on the outside and slides back inside with the move up front, and he just leads with the crown of the helmet. I mean that is textbook targeting — crown of the helmet, defenseless player, forcible contact. You name it, that checks the box. So Brown has played his last snap of the day.”

ESPN rules expert Matt Austin agreed with McElroy on the call.

“I think Greg nailed it,” Austin said. “He does, he lowers his head, he attacks with force and nails him right in the chest with the crown of the helmet. So this should be a pretty easy call for the replay booth.”