Utah's Appeal For Cole Bishop's Controversial Targeting Call Gets Denied

Utah's star safety was ejected for targeting in their win over Cal

On Saturday, the No. 16 Utah Utes welcomed the Cal Golden Bears to town, and were to escape with their sixth win of the season by a score of 34-14.

However, while they were again able to win without key players missing, they did lose another key player in safety Cole Bishop due to a targeting call. Something that head coach Kyle Whittingham disagreed with immediately and revealed shortly after the game they planned to appeal. Well, unfortunately for him and the Utes, their appeal was denied, and Bishop will have to sit the first half of their game against No. 18 USC. Something he touched on when speaking to the media.

"Yeah, got denied," said Whittingham. "I don’t want to really whine about it, but I still don’t see how it happened or how it was called and how it got denied on the appeal. So it’s baffling, but nothing we can do about it. So you can move forward.” 

 The head coach also detailed that this means the Utes will be rolling with the pairing of Sione Vaki and Nate Ritchie for the first two quarters. Whittingham did assure the media that Vaki, who rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns against Cal, will continue to play both ways. 

Here is a video of Bishop's hit, which has certainly caused a stir in Salt Lake.

@BudElliott3 thoughts on this targeting call that was confirmed and will keep Cole Bishop out of the first half against USC? pic.twitter.com/sY9efd4D1A

— Cam Risings hand (@801sportsbeat1) October 15, 2023