by ***PRESS RELEASE PER THE MAC***
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Mid-American Conference announced this afternoon that the replay booth incorrectly initiated a targeting foul review and created a targeting foul on Central Michigan defensive back Willie Reid after a 15-yard reception by Western Michigan wide receiver Jaylen Hall during the third quarter of the Central Michigan at Western Michigan contest on Saturday, Sept. 28.
With 4:07 left in the third quarter, Reid was penalized for an unsportsmanlike conduct foul on the tackle. After an instant replay initiated booth review, Reid was ejected for the remainder of the contest for targeting on the tackle. The instant replay crew reviewed the play and determined that Reid used the crown of his helmet with contact to Hall’s helmet during the play.
Bill Carollo, Coordinator of Football Officials for the Collegiate Officiating Consortium, has determined that the instant replay crew was incorrect in initiating the targeting foul and Reid should not have been disqualified.
“After a thorough review and evaluation of the entire Central Michigan at Western Michigan contest, this specific targeting call on Central Michigan defensive back Willie Reid was incorrect. The game official’s primary responsibility is player safety and we will always try to err on the side of safety especially when potential targeting fouls are involved. In this particular case the targeting foul did not rise to the high standard we expect from our game officials and replay crew. A targeting indicator must be present and it must be in an attacking manner with forcible contact. On this play the replay official should not have initiated and confirmed the call,” said Carollo.
