Shane Beamer says team will appeal DQ Smith targeting call against Texas A&M
Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson slung a pass to his wide receiver Evan Stewart over the middle. He found some space and made some Gamecock defenders miss.
That was until he met DQ Smith, who lowered his shoulder and made a big tackle.
The officials on the field didn’t see it that way, though. A few minutes later, the call came in: targeting. He wouldn’t see the field for the rest of the game. But on top of that, he wouldn’t be able to play the first half against Jacksonville State on Nov. 4.
“The official told me, and I saw it on the video board during the game, is that he hit the guy with the crown of his helmet first on a body part. It doesn’t matter if it’s the head or not, that’s how the rule is read is what they told me,” Shane Beamer said.
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“That’s a tough call because the kid’s not trying to hit the guy helmet to helmet. The kid’s trying to avoid a targeting call and he gets one called on him.”
But Beamer said the team will appeal the targeting call in hopes of getting him to play for the next game.
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“We’ll see if that goes anywhere,” Beamer said. “We already did that and waiting to hear back.”
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In the moment, Smith looked visibly upset. But he was able to stay on the sideline and support his teammates the rest of the game.
It’s a tough loss for the Gamecock defense. The sophomore defensive back has made 56 tackles, forced a fumble and had two pass deflections and an interception this year.
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According to the NCAA, the appeal process will begin with the NCAA national coordinator of officials reviewing video of the play. If it’s clear that the call was incorrect, Smith will be able to play in the first half of the next game.
South Carolina will host Jacksonville State on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is at noon on ESPNU.
