ANN ARBOR -- The hit that set off the firestorm now known as "the Shane Morris situation" is being reviewed in the Big Ten office at Brady Hoke's request.

While answering 15-minutes worth of questions on Monday surrounding Morris' status and how his injury was handled, Hoke told media members he "turned in the hit" to the league office to be reviewed.

On the field, Minnesota defensive end Theiren Cockran's hit -- a pounding takedown of Morris as he flung a pass attempt -- was ruled roughing the passer, giving U-M 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Michigan sophomore quarterback Shane Morris completed 7-of-19 passes in a 30-14 loss to Minnesota on Saturday.

Hoke, however, thinks targeting should have been called. Had that occurred, Cockran would have been ejected, in addition to the 15-yard penalty, and could be suspended the following game. The play would have also been reviewed by the officials to determine if it was indeed targeting. The call itself

can be overruled

when its made during the game.

Cockran's hit being reviewed by the Big Ten, however, doesn't carry any ramifications. According to Big Ten associate commissioner of communications Scott Chipman, no suspension for targeting can be handed down for a play that wasn't ruled in a game as targetting.

The Big Ten reviews every play as part of the officiating review program," Chipman told MLive. "In regards to targeting, that's an on-the-field call handled through game rules by the officials. There is no postgame review process for targeting."

The keys for a targeting penalty to be called include a defender "taking aim" with an apparent intent to injure, using the crown of one's helmet to deliver a blow, or going after a player's head or neck. A complete breakdown of the rule is here.

As part of normal protocol, Big Ten coaches submit plays to be reviewed by the conference's head officials after every game. Some plays, such as the hit on Morris, though, are specifically singled out.

Hoke said he also spoke to Big Ten coordinator of football officials Bill Carollo on Sunday night about Saturday's sequence that saw Devin Gardner lose his helmet and have to be taken out of the game.

Hoke said he wanted to "buy back" Gardner after the play, meaning he would take a timeout, which would permit Gardner from having to skip one play (rules require a player who loses his helmet to exit for one play).

In Gardner's case, though, Hoke said a "miscommunication" with the game's head linesman saying Hoke could do so and the referee saying he couldn't.

"So (Carollo) and I had a little bit of a discussion, because you can buy him back in because of the helmet, not because of any injury," Hoke said.

Brendan F. Quinn covers University of Michigan basketball and football. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on Wolverines hoops. He can be contacted at bquinn@mlive.com