Arizona State DB to Miss First Half of Sun Devils' CFP Game After Targeting Ejection

Shamari Simmons was ejected for targeting in the second half of the Big 12 championship game.

Arizona State defensive back Simmons tackles Iowa State quarterback Becht during the second half at AT&T Stadium. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons was ejected for targeting late in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday at AT&T Stadium due to a big hit on Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht.

The Sun Devils earned an automatic bid to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff field with a dominant 45-19 win over the Cyclones, qualifying as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions.

Simmons's ejection means he won't be able to play in the first half of their first game in the CFP, though.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, he got through Iowa State's defensive line untouched and made forcible contact with the head and neck area. After a quick review, the officials made the call for targeting, which removed Simmons from the rest of the game. Since the penalty happened in the second half, he is unable to play in the first half of ASU's next game, too.

Arizona State DB Shamari Simmons was ejected for targeting after this massive hit on Iowa State QB Rocco Becht to begin the fourth quarter.

Simmons will have to miss the first half of ASU's first College Football Playoff game.

Becht has returned to the game. pic.twitter.com/yRGE7q1TVB

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024

Simmons, a defensive leader for the Sun Devils, had five tackles and a forced fumble against Iowa State. Arizona State will find out where they land in the CFP bracket once it's unveiled Sunday on ESPN at 12 p.m. ET.

But no matter where they fall, ASU will have to survive a half of their first game without Simmons.

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