GLENDALE, Ariz.: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer called the first-quarter ejection of All-America defensive end Joey Bosa “a kidney shot.”
Running back Ezekiel Elliott, one of Bosa’s best friends, lobbied for the NCAA to revise the targeting rule.
Bosa said he could hardly describe the feeling after he was forced to leave Friday’s 44-28 victory over Notre Dame in the BattleFrog Fiesta bowl after hitting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer.
“It didn’t really feel real for at least 30 minutes after it happened,” Bosa said.
Bosa was happy that the stunning development didn’t cost the Buckeyes (12-1) a victory. Headed to the NFL Draft as the possible first overall pick, Bosa watched the game on television in the locker room.
“I’m sorry, I love you buckeye nation,” Bosa tweeted before the first half ended.
How Bosa got tossed
Bosa didn’t exactly understand what got him tossed with 5:26 left in the first quarter and OSU leading 14-0. He lowered his helmet and hit Kizer in the chest, nullifying safety Tyvis Powell’s interception of a Kizer pass.
“I was reading [the rule],” Bosa said at the University of Phoenix Stadium. “I thought it was contact to their head. I thought it had nothing to do with my head at all. But whatever.”
After the game, Meyer didn’t dispute the call by the Southeastern Conference officiating crew.
“I guess it was the proper call,” Meyer said. “Hit him below. But it was leading with the crown of the helmet.”
Elliott was not quite as diplomatic.
Elliott’s opinion
“I think that rule needs to be revised,” Elliott said. “They need to make it more clear on what targeting is. I’ve seen a couple guys, the Team Up North game against Michigan State, a guy got ejected for a bad call. I think that rule is kind of messed up.
“That was his last game as a Buckeye and it was taken away on something that was very questionable. I think the majority of people, unless you’re wearing green, would say that wasn’t targeting. It’s sad to see that his career has to end like that. I think the NCAA needs to do something about that rule.”
Elliott pays tribute
Elliott paid tribute to Bosa by doing his trademark shrug after scoring a Fiesta Bowl record-tying fourth rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Bosa tweeted his thanks, saying, “See you Zeke,” followed by a red heart.
“I told him at halftime to do it if he gets in the end zone,” Bosa said.
The Buckeyes were already thin on the defensive line with tackle Adolphus Washington suspended after an arrest for solicitation and nose tackle Tommy Schutt suffering a broken right leg in a pre-Christmas practice.
Asked what he thought of the call, OSU defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said, “I was hoping not, but the reality is it’s really for his safety as well. It looked like he was stumbling and didn’t truly drop his head, but it is what it is.”
Bosa was suspended for the season opener at Virginia Tech for a violation of athletic department policy, but said this felt different.
“Really never had a feeling like it before” Bosa said. “Virginia Tech was similar, but not to the extent. It’s almost a helpless feeling that you can’t be out there helping your guys.”
Bosa moving on
Heading to Florida to train for the NFL Combine in a couple weeks, Bosa had a tough time coping with the end of his career.
“It’s nice to be done, but it’s really sad that it’s over,” he said. “You can’t even expect what it’s going to feel like until it actually happens. It’s rough, but it’s amazing at the same time to be able to look back on all the great years we’ve had here.”
Perhaps he will find consolation in the vow of his brother, Nick Bosa, a high school defensive end committed to OSU.
“I will finish what you started,” Nick Bosa tweeted.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com.