How much did the blown targeting call cost Arizona State? Millions
Lost in the drama of Arizona State's 39-31 double-overtime loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals were the financial implications.
The Sun Devils — and the Big 12 — lost out on a big payday.
Arizona State earned $4 million for qualifying for the CFP — money that goes straight to the Big 12, then is distributed to member schools through a revenue share.
If ASU had defeated Texas, the Big 12 would have earned $6 million — and a chance for another $6 million if the Sun Devils had gone on to win a semifinal game.
That doesn't include the $3 million each team gets to cover expenses for each round.
That is one of many reasons the blown targeting call on Texas safety Michael Taaffe continues to be a flash point. Arizona State should have had a chance to win the game in regulation, a fact that was not lost on Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark.
“As a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark,” Yormark said in a statement released after the Peach Bowl, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger.
“Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed. These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”
In any era, $6 million is significant. But in the NIL era it looms even larger.
On top of that, BYU clearly should have made the College Football Playoff over SMU, which would have guaranteed the Big 12 at least another $4 million.
The $4 million Arizona State earned for making the CFP will be divided evenly among the 16 Big 12 schools, with the Sun Devils receiving an undisclosed bonus.
'This Should Have Been A Flag For Targeting'
The blown targeting call in question happened with the Peach Bowl tied 24-24 and just over one minute to play in the fourth quarter. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt completed a 10-yard pass to Melquan Stovall over the middle. Stovall was immediately hit, helmet to helmet, by Texas safety Taaffe. Stovall fell to the turf and did not get up for several minutes.
No penalty flag was thrown on the field, but the play was reviewed for targeting. The officials determined it was not targeting, and Arizona State was faced with 4th-and-5 at their own 48-yard line with 1:03 to play, forcing them to punt. If targeting had been correctly called, ASU would have had the ball 1st-and-10 at the Texas 37-yard line — and Taaffe would have been ejected.
The play continues be debated on social media, but multiple rules analysts have said it was clearly targeting.
"My phone has been burning up all morning," CBS Sports rules analyst Gen Steratore wrote on X the day after the game. "Yes, this should have been a flag for targeting in Texas vs. Arizona State. It meets all of the criteria of targeting (Rule 9-1-4)."
My phone has been burning up all morning.
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 2, 2025
Yes, this should have been a flag for targeting in #TEXvsASU. It meets all of the criteria of targeting (Rule 9-1-4). pic.twitter.com/tv5HPIQgd0
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Ben Sherman has been covering the sports world for most of his journalism career, including 17 years with The Oregonian/OregonLive. One of his favorite memories was covering the 1999 Fiesta Bowl - the first BCS National Championship Game - at Sun Devil Stadium.