Kirby Smart addresses targeting calls against Georgia vs. Texas

As Georgia attempted to halt a Texas comeback in the second half Saturday in Austin, two players were flagged and ejected for targeting. Both Bulldogs defensive backs, Dan Jackson and Joenel Aguero, had to watch their teammates from the sideline to end the game. Jackson was flagged by an on-field official while Aguero was caught by the booth, where both penalties were confirmed.

Kirby Smart addressed those calls on Monday, and what his two players could have done differently. Ducking heads is what Smart believes was the deciding factor in targeting getting called on both instances. The Georgia head coach is a member of the SEC rules committee and understands making hits with the crown of the helmet is “very dangerous.”

“If that’s my son out there and he’s got the ball and he’s running the ball, I don’t want him ducking his head with the ball like their offensive player did,” Smart said. “I certainly don’t want our defensive players ducking their head or the crown of their helmet being used. It’s very dangerous.”

Targeting has been a controversial topic in college football for numerous years now. Sometimes, a player is ejected for a play not many believe should be targeting, while the foul goes uncalled in different scenarios. The final decision ultimately comes from the replay booth, removing it from the on-field officials’ responsibilities.

Both of the calls going against Georgia were “borderline” in Smart’s opinion.

“Both of those were really close, unfortunate, borderline situations,” Smart said. “One, the offensive player lowered his head. And then Joenel’s is really tough because he’s trying to avoid helmet to helmet, avoid going high — which, most NFL offensive players would rather you be hitting them high than low because their legs are their career. They’re tough calls in both situations.”

Smart did admit over anything, safety is the “focal point” of these types of calls. Aguero and Jackson could have been hurt just as easily as the Texas players on the receiving end of their hits.

And even though the missed game time on Saturday, there is still more suspension to serve. Both players will not be able to play in the first half vs. Florida since the penalties occurred in the second half of the previous game. Smart will be able to get them back on the field out of the halftime locker room in Jacksonville.