LSU will have to find a way to slow down Alabama’s top-ranked offense without its best defensive player in the first half of Saturday’s game, as linebacker Devin White will remain suspended for the targeting call against him.
White was called for targeting after a hit on Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald during the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s 19-3 win.
#LSU LB Devin White will miss the 1st half of the #Alabama game for this targeting penalty: pic.twitter.com/TDqZQlmFsU
— ESPN NOLA 100.3 FM (@ESPNRadioNOLA) October 21, 2018
Because the foul and ensuing ejection occurred in the second half of the game, White was automatically suspended for the first half of his team’s following game. LSU athletic director Joe Alleva tried to appeal to the SEC, but he told Brody Miller of The Times-Picayune that SEC officials “made clear there is no process for appeal.”
Many felt the hit did not constitute targeting, but the rule states that there cannot be forcible contact to the head and neck area of a defenseless player with a helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. In this case, White hit Fitzgerald high with his forearm.
White is one of the top linebackers in the country, and he’s one of 10 players we listed earlier this season that have improved their NFL Draft stock. Alabama has looked unstoppable on offense, so not having White for the first half could be extremely costly for LSU.
