I’m watching MSU at USC and Spartan defender Jordan Hall was called for targeting. The receiver was a step away and the defender was closing fast. Helmet on helmet contact occurred and Mike Pereira also cited the defenseless player rule.

But what is the defender expected to do?? Not close quickly to make a tackle? Stop their path to the ball or dive to the side so that the receiver can establish his feet and charge forward for 5 yards after the catch?

I feel like the rule has failed defenders. We all want to see college football players go home safe - but I don’t see where college football has provided a realistic scenario for closing defenders to avoid targeting calls when inadvertent helmet to helmet contact occurs or where a receiver is “defenseless”.

The worst part is the repercussion - 15 yards and disqualification. It feels like the solution would be having a 5-yard / non-DQ version where it was not a play with intent to injure or intent to lead with the crown and a 15-yard + DQ for scenarios of clear intent to injure or intent to lead with the helmet when there was an opportunity not to do so.