West Virginia DB Wesley McCormick ejected for targeting

The Backyard Brawl can bring out a ton of emotions, especially in a seven-point game in the fourth quarter. However, something you don’t want to see is somebody ejected for targeting. Unfortunately for West Virginia defensive back Wesley McCormick, he is no longer in the game.

On a second down play deep in their own territory, Pittsburgh quarterback Kedon Slovis threw a quick out near the sideline. Rodney Hammond was the pass catcher before getting blown up by McCormick, making head-to-head contact. The referee immediately threw his flag for targeting and confirmed the call via replay.

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McCormick is now out of the game heading into crunch time. Once the defensive back was out of the game, Pitt went down the field to score. The game is now tied with just under four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter

You can watch the full play here.

West Virginia CB Wesley McCormick was ejected for targeting on this play.pic.twitter.com/6wJSY939Jg

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 2, 2022

With the ejection, McCormick will now miss the first half of next week’s game. For West Virginia, they are not playing a nonconference opponent, as most teams do early in the season. Their Big 12 schedule will get kicked off early, with a road trip to Lawrence against Kansas.

West Virginia was able to escape against the Jayhawks last season, winning by just six points. Kansas will open its season this weekend, with a home matchup against Tennessee Tech on the docket. They will now be going up against a depleted secondary, at least in the first half.

McCormick is an experienced player for the Mountaineers, playing in his redshirt senior season. He entered the program this year after entering the transfer portal from James Madison. Being a three-year starter for the FCS program, he was making a major jump to Power Five football on Thursday night.