Mississippi Rebels linebacker Mark Robinson celebrates after a tackle against the Louisville Cardinals in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Robinson was later penalized for targeting after review of the play.? Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

CFB rules blasted after four players ejected in first half of Ole Miss-Louisville game

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 9/6/21

The Mississippi Rebels opened their 2021 college football season against the Louisville Cardinals Labor Day evening.

Led by star quarterback Matt Corral, Mississippi opened up a 26-0 halftime lead. The Heisman candidate completed 13-of-20 passes for 252 yards in the first two quarters.

However, that’s not anywhere near the story here. A total of four players were ejected for targeting within the first 30 minutes of the game. That included Mississippi linebacker Mark Robinson after what appeared to be a clean hit on a Louisville ball-carrier.

Targeting call + ejection for Mark Robinson…

pic.twitter.com/1J8b5tjy4U
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 7, 2021

We’re not even sure where to start with this one. It was a textbook tackle. It also cost the star linebacker the rest of Monday night’s game and the first half of next week’s matchup against Austin Peay.

Obviously, those watching this game from the confines of their homes had some reactions to the four ejections. At some point, it’s more about college football rules than it is about players laying dirty hits. Four ejections in two quarters speaks to that.

I just got called for targeting.
— OleMissPix (@OleMissPix) September 7, 2021

It’s time to treat targeting like unsportsmanlike conduct. You get one warning before being ejected.

This is ruining the product on the field and on the television
— Red Cup Rebellion (@RedCupRebellion) September 7, 2021

Lane Kiffin on the @OleMissNetwork when asked about all the targeting fouls:

“I don’t know what we’re doing wrong.”
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) September 7, 2021

A quarter-and-a-half through Ole Miss-Louisville:

Ole Miss scoring drives: 4
Players ejected for targeting: 4
Louisville first downs: 4
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 7, 2021

Football is dead. Targeting is supposed to go both ways now. But they only aways call it on the defensive guys. The video is a prime example. pic.twitter.com/GzV2FJ1gkb
— T. Brady (@BradyInConway) September 7, 2021

The Louisville vs Ole Miss brought to you by Target #targeting pic.twitter.com/nZkxe20D9o
— PerfectlyImperfect (@MattiB84) September 7, 2021

The Louisville Ole Miss game if college football had a penalty box #targeting pic.twitter.com/WC21ThEaFj
— CFB Best Bets (@CfbBest) September 7, 2021

If this is targeting we might as well start playing flag football.
pic.twitter.com/N1PNooxeCN
— Yahoo Sportsbook (@YahooSportsbook) September 7, 2021

Reality is, Targeting would get changed tomorrow if the suits weren't afraid of litigation and appearance of backtracking on safety.

However, if they were actually concerned with safety wouldn't they adopt NFL game clock rules to lower volume of total snaps? pic.twitter.com/GwvNAjlxzE
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) September 7, 2021

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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