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Billy Napier reveals what SEC said about controversial Trikweze Bridges targeting call

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•09/18/24•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators safety Trikweze Bridges was ejected from the Texas A&M game for a controversial targeting call. The SEC officially reviewed the play this week and reported its ruling back to UF.

Bridies went to make a tackle on Aggies receiver Noah Thomas and tried to wrap up his legs, but the officiating crew ruled that he led with the crown of his helmet and targeting was called. After review, the call stood.

Billy Napier said after the loss that he would “obviously ask for interpretation” and “be interested to see the video” on Bridges. Napier revealed Wednesday night that the league office reaffirmed the call.

“It’s a challenging play. I think ultimately the definition of targeting is in that situation, when he makes contact, the (camera) angles that they access to, the crown of his helmet hits the guy. So, by definition, I think they came back and validated the call,” Napier said. “But, there’s also a little bit of, ‘Hey, can we have all the angles and all that?’ So, it is what it is.

“We had plenty of other opportunities to control the outcome. I’m sure there’s probably a handful of calls that went our way as well throughout the game. I think it’s a good opportunity to educate the players in terms of player safety, keeping your eyes up when you tackle. So, ultimately, that’s what we gotta do.”

The penalty was a critical moment in the first half. It happened on second-and-31 from the Florida 40-yard line, resulted in an A&M first down and led to a touchdown to give the Aggies a 20-0 lead before the break.

Because Bridges was ejected in the second quarter, he has already served his time out and will not have to sit out the first half Saturday against Mississippi State. Gators EDGE Justus Boone didn’t agree with the call.

“I feel like everybody was surprised on that. I’m not a whiz on all the SEC rules or anything like that, but I don’t how you call that targeting. It’s not really an area to hurt him, but I don’t know,” Boone said. “Me personally, I probably would have done the same thing. I’m a reaction type of guy.

“So, as soon as I would have saw him flying, I maybe would have used the first thing I had on me too to hit him. It’s just one of those plays where you can learn from it and coach from it and see exactly why it was called and just try to not get in that position again.”

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