Rules expert disagrees on controversial targeting call that got Texas A&M's Jaylon Jones ejected

Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones was ejected from Saturday’s game against Florida in the first quarter for targeting, but long-time NFL referee and current rules expert on Sunday Night Football Terry McAulay believes officials made the wrong call.

Jones was ejected following a hit on Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall on a throw into the low red zone. As Pearsall attempted to make the catch he seemed to sense Jones coming and began to get small as Jones collided with him.

“Interesting targeting play,” McAulay wrote on Twitter. “I don’t believe it is as the defender is not attacking for the purpose of making forcible contact to the head/neck nor is there an indicator. His head is up and doesn’t appear to be leading with the helmet. All aspects cannot be indisputably confirmed.”

Interesting targeting play. I don’t believe it is as the defender is not attacking for the purpose of making forcible contact to the head/neck nor is there an indicator. His head is up and doesn’t appear to be leading with the helmet. All aspects cannot be indisputably confirmed. https://t.co/O0uMS7U9yc

— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) November 5, 2022

Officials, though, did uphold the targeting call on the field and carry through with Jaylon Jones being ejected.

McAulay replied to another user on Twitter suggesting it should have been offensive targeting because Pearsall lowered his helmet into the contact, reiterating his stance that he believes the play should have gone without any call whatsoever.

“I think he is bracing for contact rather than attacking,” McAulay said of Pearsall. “I have no foul on anyone here.”

Following the targeting ejection, Florida scored a touchdown two plays later. Midway through the second quarter, at the time of this writing, the game was tied 17-17.

Texas A&M hit by flu bug before Florida game

Texas A&M and Florida have gotten into a shootout early. How the Aggies hold up through the course of the game will be a key storyline.

Due to a flu outbreak amongst the team, Texas A&M is without Bryce Anderson, Max Johnson, Conner Weigman, Ethan Moczulski, Kent Robinson and Kam Dewberry, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, in today’s game against the Gators.

Weigman was reported early on to be questionable for the game due to the outbreak of the flu. This comes one week after a very impressive outing for the young signal-caller, as he threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns in a narrow loss to Ole Miss. Weigman was not expected to play as much entering the season but the recent struggles have resulted in the Aggies looking for any changes they can make.