Big12 commissioner enters the debate over targeting non-call after Arizona-Texas controversy

The Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark weighed in on the targeting non-calls in the No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils and No. 5 Texan Longhorns matchup. The Longhorns won 39-31 in double-overtime on Wednesday a College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, but fans took issue with the referees not calling a targeting call against Texas in a crucial moment.

Arizona State (11-3) scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24-24 with less than two minutes left of regulation. The Sun Devils had the opportunity to score to take the lead late in regulation when the non-call happened.

At 1:15 in the fourth quarter, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt threw a pass to wide receiver Melquan Stovall on third-and-15 at the team's 38-yard line. Texas defensive back Michael Taafee went helmet-to-helmet, tackling Stovall to prevent a first down. Many fans and experts believe the referees should have called a targeting penalty, but the officials didn't.

The missed call (and a missed field-goal try by Texas at the end of regulation) led to the Peach Bowl going into overtime, where the Longhorns won.

Yormark released a statement about the incident, which The Athletic's Chris Vannini shared on X/Twitter.

"As a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State's final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark. Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed," Yormark said.

The Big 12 commissioner said he will discuss the Peach Bowl officiating with his committee members in their next meeting.

"We kinda had to, in my opinion": Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reflects on fourth-quarter punting decision

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham was asked after the game about his decision to punt the football after not getting the targeting call in the fourth quarter. Arizona State was 5 yards away from getting a first down and had an opportunity to win the game.

Dillingham said he believed in the team's defense and felt that going for it on fourth down didn't guarantee Arizona State a chance to win.

"We were playing good defense, and the score of the game. ... we kinda had to, in my opinion," Dillingham said. "Just fourth-and-5. Low percentage. Doesn't even give you the ... If that go for it would've guaranteed us a win, we would've gone for it."

Fourth-ranked Texas (13-2) will face the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2) in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.