The college football world is in an uproar on social media after a controversial play in the Alabama-LSU game.
Dallas Turner, an outside linebacker for the Crimson Tide, put a massive hit on LSU’s quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second half that knocked him out of the game for a play. Daniels was down on the field for a while until the Tigers’ training staff helped him to the sideline at Bryant-Denny Stadium. National media, LSU fans, and some of the college football world wanted a targeting called on Turner because they felt it was a ‘dirty play.’ Turner did not lead with the crown of his helmet and did not launch himself into Daniels. He hit Daniels in the chest and drove him to the ground, which is a legal football play.
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Alabama fans and others are leaving comments on Twitter, reacting to the moment.
Daniels had just 22 yards rushing in the second half after totaling 141 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Alabama’s defense tightened up on him, and the team gained a 42-28 victory at home. Bryce Young, a former Alabama quarterback, suffered the same kind of hit versus Tennessee last season and nothing was called. The officials did penalize Turner for a 15-yard personal foul, so it was not like Alabama got away with anything. The Vols did the same thing to Young in 2022 and got away with it.
Pick your panties outta that wad. That was a good hard football play, it was NOT the kinda play they were trying to eliminate by implementing the targeting rule. It was intended for plays like THIS. There’s a difference in the 2. Better luck next year in the West 👍… https://t.co/qpd59qwYQC
— Will Lowery (@jwlowery29) November 5, 2023
The number of people that absolutely do not know the rules of American Football, but get paid for working in the field, is disturbing https://t.co/I5DChYa7or
— UABama#18🇺🇸🇮🇱🇷🇺 (@BamaLife4Ever) November 5, 2023
When you are looking for an example for why sports journalism is in the toilet, I’d point you to @BradLoganCOTE as an example.
There is no expertise or understanding of football in this tweet. https://t.co/1EH0bCAd8r
— Washed One🐘 (@Colton_Duke) November 5, 2023
To be quite honest, this is a perfect form tackle. Doesn’t launch himself, drives his arms up under his armpits, drives through the contact. Nothing vicious about this hit https://t.co/zqvC1TADjs
— Stephen (@Stephen_Springs) November 5, 2023
Turn in your media card.
— Babs 👠🥋 (@TidePride8) November 5, 2023
It does appear that Turner’s helmet did not make contact with Daniels’ helmet. It was just below. There was a definite missed blocked by that O-lineman though. You can’t miss that block. That’s where fingers need to be pointing. I’m not see head to head contact when I zoom in.
— Shutdown Man (@ShutdownMan) November 5, 2023
Not even a Bama fan and I know that was a clean hit
— Deep Fried Whey 🦍 (@DeepFriedWhey) November 5, 2023
Great hit.
— Larry Alex Taunton (@LarryTaunton) November 5, 2023
It was a personal foul called and they received a 15 yard penalty. Stop acting like nothing was called.
— Kevin Smith 🥋 (@kdbama4) November 5, 2023
Suspended for what ? Tackling a QB during a football play? The world and these opinions are S O F T. You probably work at Starbucks in the latte section. Carry on. https://t.co/S7XgXobfNZ
— 🎙iTalkSEC 🇺🇸🏈🏀⚾️🥎🇺🇸 (@italksec) November 5, 2023
If you think the Dallas Turner hit was targeting, just admit you don’t know ball.
And if you think the refs threw the game for Alabama, just admit you’re poor and can’t afford to pay Birmingham. The only reason we won is because we write bigger checks.
— Esther Scott Workman (@estherscott) November 5, 2023
wrapped up & tackled.
we play some soft football for this to be a penalty https://t.co/casK1ChcCw
— Katniss of Tarth (@Kats820) November 5, 2023
Violent hit, but don’t think it was clear cut targeting.
Didn’t seem late, nor do I think he launched.
Bang bang play, wish they would have taken more time to review and confirm.
But don’t think it merited an ejection.
It’s not why LSU lost the game. https://t.co/iQNzWVftIp
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 5, 2023
Hopefully, Daniels is okay.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
