Steve Sarkisian isn’t apologizing for Longhorns’ toughness after no targeting call against Arizona State
Texas safety Michael Taaffe’s incredible hit on Arizona State’s Melquan Stovall has been dissected by just about everyone on TV and those with social media accounts.
Should Taaffe have been flagged for targeting? Suddenly, everyone’s a rules’ expert. Replay officials at Mercedes-Benz Stadium looked at it and determined it wasn’t.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian just shrugged.
“Hey, we don’t play flag football, man. This isn’t 7-on-7. This is tackle football,” Sarkisian said Friday on a Zoom call with reporters. “We believe in playing a physical brand of football. We try to do it the right way, within the rules.”
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Taaffe’s huge hit was one of several big licks the Longhorns have delivered this postseason. Safety Andrew Mukuba had bone-rattling hits against Texas A&M and Georgia in the SEC championship that were looked at for targeting. In both instances, replay officials determined the Horns did everything right.
Against Arizona State, a potential targeting call would have given the Sun Devils favorable field position with 1:10 remaining. The way ASU was playing, many believe the Devils would have continued to drive and won the game.
Instead, the Devils had to punt after coming up short of the line to gain on the third-down completion. Texas wound up winning 39-31 in double overtime.
“There were numerous plays I thought in the game that I’m sure they were upset about a call. There was numerous plays I didn’t agree with the call. But that’s football,” Sarkisian said. “That’s the way it goes.
“But we’re not going to change the way we play. We play a physical brand of football. We’re always going to try to impose our will on our opponents. And Michael’s a great example that he plays the game the right way.”
