Ohio State LB Arvell Reese ejected for targeting vs. Nebraska, leads to irate Ryan Day reaction

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese was ejected for targeting for his hit on Nebraska receiver Jahmal Banks during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game.

With Ohio State clinging to a 21-17 lead, Reese was called for targeting on a 19-yard reception by Banks. The Cornhuskers went from being backed up deep in their own territory to having the ball near midfield. You can check out the play below:

On 1st-and-22, Ohio State LB Arvell Reese is called for targeting on this hit to Nebraska WR Jahmal Banks.

It was confirmed after review, and Reese has been ejected from the game.#Buckeyes fans are throwing bottles onto the field, and OSU receives a sideline warning. pic.twitter.com/tJWYKrXGAX

— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) October 26, 2024

Ryan Day was livid on the sideline and received a sideline warning. Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira said Day was fortunate to not get a 15-yard penalty. Reese was flagged for a blow to the head, not for helmet-to-helmet contact.

You can check out the reaction from Day below:

Ryan Day's reaction to that targeting call ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/UfNv3O6fbt

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 26, 2024

What the video did not show is Ryan Day slamming down his headset in disbelief. Ohio State fans threw water bottles onto the field after the call, leading to even more chaos and the Nebraska players moving towards the middle of the field and away from the sidelines.

“Ryan Day is lucky that he doesn’t have a 15-yard penalty associated with this, because a sideline warning is when people interfere with you — players or coaches interfere with you in the white,” Pereira said. “But if you come out on the field, if you come out on the field and voice your displeasure like he did and throw your headset, that should be an unsportsmanlike conduct, which would add another 15.

“He catches a break here. You can’t be out on the field and do this. This has happened before.”

The targeting was called on the field and replay reviewed the play. It was ultimately determined that he did indeed commit a targeting penalty.

Not only is Arvell Reese set to miss the rest of this game but he will also miss the first half of the Penn State game.

The Buckeyes have a huge Big Ten showdown with the Nittany Lions next week.