Scarlet Sunrise: Ryan Day believes officiating of targeting should be rooted in 'common sense'

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Ryan Day believes officiating of targeting should be rooted in ‘common sense’

In a sit-down interview with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day — part of Fox’s “Big Noon Conversations” — college football analyst Joel Klatt eventually asked Day about the targeting rule, the officiating of which played a role in Ohio State letting its 14-point lead slip against Georgia during last season’s Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal.

While up, 35-24, late in the third quarter, Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud was pressured on 3rd-and-Goal. Stroud backpedaled before throwing up a prayer to the back of the end zone, where star wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. could make a play on the ball. Harrison already had five catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns, both of which also came on improvised plays.

This time, Harrison still found a way to get his hands on the pass, despite being covered well by Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo. But, as soon as Harrison did that, Bulldogs rover Javon Bullard delivered a punishing and controversial hit. Harrison instantly lost the ball and was down on the turf, requiring medical assistance from the Buckeyes’ staff.

A flag was thrown for targeting, however, after review, that call was overturned. Harrison left the game and was put in concussion protocol. Ohio State settled for a 25-yard Noah Ruggles field goal. Harrison didn’t return for the final quarter, in which Georgia outscored Ohio State, 18-3, and outgained the Buckeyes, 187-97, in total yards.

Ohio State ended up losing, 42-41, and, postgame, Day noted that the absence of Harrison “absolutely” had an impact on the CFP semifinal.

After being reviewed, this hit on Marvin Harrison Jr. was ultimately not called for targeting. #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/693nlngUAJ

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2023

“I think the first thing is, It has to be common sense,” Day told Klatt. “We’re getting so much into the weeds on this that we’ve lost where we started on it. And what was the reason why we did this? To protect young men. If someone is launching at someone’s head, and they’re unconscious on the ground, that’s not what we want here. Sometimes we get into these slow-motion things, and we start to get so caught up in the little details. It’s not realistic, sometimes, watching it in slow motion. I think there has to be some sort of a common sense.

“I think we have to still trust the referees on the field and what they see. They’re there for a reason. And then if it’s egregious, one way or the other, then that’s where the instant replay comes into play. But I think right now what we’ve done is, we’ve just put so much into the instant replay that what you see in a slow frame isn’t really what’s going on in the field. And we have to go back to the common sense of why the rule was even put in place.”

Ryan Day discusses where he stands with the targeting rule and how he would fix it 👀

"I think the first thing is it has to be common sense." pic.twitter.com/LC9VNuUvYZ

— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) July 10, 2023

Versatile safety Ja’Had Carter is ‘up for any challenge’ after transferring to Ohio State

Ja’Had Carter was a three-year starter and All-ACC performer at Syracuse. But after his defensive coordinator, Tony White, joined Matt Rhule’s staff at Nebraska this offseason, Carter decided he wanted a fresh start, too.

That’s where Ohio State came into play. Instead of choosing a school in the transfer portal that might have guaranteed him a starting spot, Carter committed to the Buckeyes, who have first-team openings at the position but also have a very deep room that rounds out the back end of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 system.

While remaining humble, Carter isn’t shying away from the competition.

For the full story on the Syracuse transfer, go here.

Perry Eliano growing alongside Buckeyes safeties this offseason

A spotlight is on the Ohio State defense in its second year under Knowles. More specifically, a spotlight is on the Buckeyes’ secondary, which cratered the final two games of the 2022 season.

Ohio State’s safeties are the backbone of that secondary.

Now-second-year safeties coach Perry Eliano knows his position group must be better this season. But he also knows he must be better, too.

He’s noticed growth on both levels this offseason.

To get a the story on that two-fold development, head on here.

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Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 52 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 136 days

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