GDT: @ South Dakota (10/28/23)

[LetsGoRabbits]

Anytime a player's head gets snapped back like that from a high hit, it's going to be looked at. The ejection was not justified, should have been just a personal foul. I actually thought the block on the kick return was closer to being targeting.

absolutely!! i am pretty sure you are agreeing with me here. and i agree with you exactly. i disagree with both the penalty and the ejection. i believe you can see defender turn his head away before impact attempting to lead with the shoulder. you can debate if he was successful or not. i think he got him kinda simultaneously with the shoulder and side-ish of his helmet

for me i just hate the targeting rule and it seems to cause constant guessing by officials, which is NEVER GOOD!!! they can barely make the obvious black and white calls. but this play was dang close to a 50/50 call and it sucks to have a player ejected for that

BUT all that said both announcers behaved like it was totally inconceivable to even consider flagging the yotes on this play and to me that just seems like totally dishonest commentary. just go ahead and admit you are fans and you will not be attempting to announce the game you will simply be cheering for usd while you are on the air

[Cowbell]

Equilibrium was restored to the universe yesterday. Everything is in balance again.

[jakejc795]

absolutely!! i am pretty sure you are agreeing with me here. and i agree with you exactly. i disagree with both the penalty and the ejection. i believe you can see defender turn his head away before impact attempting to lead with the shoulder. you can debate if he was successful or not. i think he got him kinda simultaneously with the shoulder and side-ish of his helmet

for me i just hate the targeting rule and it seems to cause constant guessing by officials, which is NEVER GOOD!!! they can barely make the obvious black and white calls. but this play was dang close to a 50/50 call and it sucks to have a player ejected for that

BUT all that said both announcers behaved like it was totally inconceivable to even consider flagging the yotes on this play and to me that just seems like totally dishonest commentary. just go ahead and admit you are fans and you will not be attempting to announce the game you will simply be cheering for usd while you are on the air

I'll never be an Elsen apologist, but watching the replay for a second time (from 00:52:40), this commentary isn't among the worst for the following reasons:

• Fields indicates he's "seen more egregious hits" (which I think most of us agree with)
  • Elsen responds that the "hit did get a little high" (I think that's irrefutable)
    • Elsen then mentions a checklist and needing to "hit all of the bullet points"
      • This article offers a great primer on targeting, including commentary with video examples
        • Fields then veers into what seems to be an important mischaracterization of the rules after saying that "you have to do your due diligence," when he indicates "the helmets never made contact"
          • First, the helmets do clearly make contact, but that's not a requirement, as the rule explicitly states "No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting."
          • Barros also launches, and his helmet was leading
            • A point of contention may be whether Barros lowered his head (I think he does)
            • Another point of contention may be whether Amar Johnson was defenseless
              • I think he was because he hadn't fully turned to face Barros/protect himself prior to the hit

I'll concede that this was not the most vicious hit I've seen, but I do see evidence of targeting. Nevertheless, I would be fine with the NCAA instituting a tiered system where Barros would have been disqualifed for at least one quarter instead of the entire game (meaning he'd have to sit the 3rd quarter yesterday). Then, if he's flagged for targeting again at any point for the rest of the season, he's forced to sit a full game.

Lastly, I will also concede that I'm a proponent of the spirit of the rule -- protecting both players from head injuries.

[SlapJack]

JSD had me nervous, but NDSU and YSU both had 150+ yds rushing on them. Is their D real? Well, I guess we found out. Man, that was fun game to watch (after the first quarter). This Jacks team has to be annoying to sports writers, because they keep destroying the narratives. The better team showed up and walked away with the W.

I think JSD is better than the final score. In the second half, their defense became gassed and disinterested, and they didn't seem too dialed in on our last 2 TD's. It's got to be tough to stay focused when the game isn't close and your offense is stymied. Nonetheless, that's complimentary football by the Jacks. Go State!

[SUPERBUNNY]

That was one of the most satisfying wins that I can remember. Obviously the FCS Championship was the best, but this was one of them. Just happy for the 5th and 6th year guys on the team that hadn't won in Vermillion. They no doubt were looking forward to this game. Not only did they get the W, but it was emphatic in all regards. Took a little guilty pleasure in creeping some of the USD fan pages for the post game meltdown.

There is no resting in the MVFC. Now on to the Prairie bovine!

SUPERBUNNY