The targeting flag thrown on Penn State’s Brandon Smith on Saturday against Michigan that led to Smith’s ejection should have been reversed, per an official release from the Big Ten. The conference made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, citing Smith’s intention on going after the ball.

The statement did not mention disciplinary action for the officials who made the call nor provide an apology to Penn State.

"During Saturday’s Penn State at Michigan football game, a Penn State defensive player was ejected for targeting with 14:55 remaining in the 2nd quarter. We do not find fault with the flag that was thrown by the on-field officials as they are instructed to prioritize player safety when making calls.

"Targeting occurs when a player takes aim at an opponent, whether the crown of the helmet is used to make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent, or whether there is forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent that goes beyond making a legal tackle, a legal block, or playing the ball. In this particular play, the defender was making a legitimate attempt to get to the ball and, upon full review, the call of Targeting should have been reversed by the Replay Official."

Smith was forced to leave the game and was replaced by reserve linebacker Jan Johnson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury later in the quarter. Because the call against Smith came in the first half, he was not subject to sitting out the first half of Penn State’s upcoming game against Minnesota.