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Ventrell Miller ejected for targeting in second half against Vanderbilt

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•11/19/22•

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Icon Sportswire / Contributor PhotoG/Getty

NASHVILLE — Florida Gators senior linebacker Ventrell Miller was ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter against Vanderbilt. Miller was leading the Gators with 11 tackles and a forced fumble against Vanderbilt.

In previous years, the second-half ejection would have prohibited Miller from playing in the first half of the next game. That would mean the Gators would be without its leader on defense against Florida State next Friday.

However, a rule change prior to the start of the 2022 season could allow for Miller to play in the first half next weekend against Florida State.

Targeting is generally defined as leading with the helmet to make forcible above-the-shoulder contact with an opponent. Players ejected in the second half are required to sit out the first half of the following game.

The new rule allows the conference office to request a review from the national coordinator of officials for a second-half targeting foul. If it’s obvious a player was incorrectly penalized for targeting, the player would be cleared to play in the first half of the next game.

Billy Napier was asked about the ejection after the game. Florida would not be able to apply for the appeal. It would need to come from the SEC league office, which Florida could appeal to in order to have it sent to Steve Shaw, the national coordinator of officials. Shaw and his office would have the final say in terms of Miller being able to play in the first half against Florida State.

“Ventrell is obviously a significant player on our team, not only his production but his leadership. He’s a great communicator, and that affects you,” Napier said. “I do think that the group that went in there, they made the most of their opportunity. We’ll look at the tape to see how they played, but as far as an appeal process, we need to watch the film more in-depth before we make that decision.”

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