Big Ten overturns Arvell Reese targeting call, LB won't be suspended in first half at Penn State
COLUMBUS — Ohio State will have one of its top three linebackers for the game at Penn State after all.
Following a review from the NCAA and the Big Ten, Arvell Reese‘s targeting ejection was overturned. He will not be suspended for the first half of the game at Penn State.
From the Ohio State Athletic Department:
Ohio State filed an appeal to the Big Ten Conference on behalf of Arvell Reese’s action in the fourth quarter of the game. The Big Ten went to the NCAA Football Secretary Rules-Editor and, after review, it was determined that this was not targeting.
Ohio State Athletics
Reese was ejected during the late stages of the fourth quarter in the Buckeyes’ win over Nebraska. He was called for targeting after hitting Nebraska wide receiver Jahmal Banks. After a lengthy video review, Reese was ruled to have hit Banks in the head, giving the Cornhuskers 15 extra yards as they tried marching down the field for a game-winning touchdown. Reese’s afternoon was cut short.
The play also resulted in Buckeyes coach Ryan Day spiking his headset and getting a sideline warning. He was close to earning a 15-yard penalty for the antics. Fans proceeded to throw trash onto the field in protest, causing a delay in action.
It wasn’t exactly a banner day for Big Ten officiating in the game between Ohio State and Nebraska. The league has spent a good chunk of Monday cleaning up the mess from the officiating crew.
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Earlier in the day, the league released a statement about a missed spot in the first half, which cut a Nebraska drive short.
“During Nebraska’s final drive of the first half, on second down with two yards to gain on the Ohio State 39-yard line, the ball was incorrectly spotted after a run by Cornhusker RB Emmett Johnson,” the statement said. “The ball carrier crossed the 37-yard line and a first down should have been awarded to Nebraska. Replay should have stopped the game to review the spot since it involved the line-to-gain.”
Nebraska got a field goal instead of potentially scoring a touchdown on the drive to end the first half.
Now the league is cleaning up for the bad targeting call on Reese. He won’t have to sit out the first half of Ohio State vs. Penn State this weekend.
