ESPN’s Louis Riddick critical of Miami safety after targeting call

Miami safety and defensive captain Bubba Bolden was called for targeting in the first quarter against Alabama. With just two seconds remaining in the opening period, Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. ran the ball six yards before colliding helmet-to-helmet with the Miami defensive captain. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick did not hold back in his assessment of the targeting call.

“That is bad tackling form,” Louis Riddick posted on Twitter shortly after the replay booth upheld the targeting call. “That is dangerous. Can’t do that.”

The Hurricanes gave up a touchdown to tight end Cameron Latu later in the drive, putting Miami down 17-0 early in the second quarter. Former Miami star and current Chief of Staff Ed Reed mentored the young safety after the ejection.

The loss of Bubba Bolden hurt a depleted Miami secondary. The team is playing without Avantae Williams, who was recently suspended after being reinstated to the team in August. Bolden’s backup on the Miami depth chart is four-star freshman James Williams, who ranks No. 64 in the On3 2021 recruiting rankings.

Targeting rules

The following explanation on the targeting rule is provided by the NCAA rulebook:

No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI).

Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:

Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area.

A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.

Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.

Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.