Targeting Call Against Ohio State Linebacker Arvell Reese Overturned

The NCAA has overturned a targeting call against Ohio State sophomore linebacker Arvell Reese, which means Reese will no longer be forced to miss the first half of Saturday’s game at Penn State.

Reese was ejected from this past Saturday’s game against Nebraska for a hit in the fourth quarter that saw Reese use his shoulder to dislodge the football from a receiver. Reese was immediately flagged for targeting and the play was upheld by the Big Ten replay officials.

According to an Ohio State spokesman, Ohio State filed an appeal to the Big Ten on behalf of Reese following the game. The Big Ten then went to the NCAA Football Secretary Rules-Editor and after reviewing the play, they determined that Reese’s play was not targeting. As such, Reese will not be suspended for the first half of Saturday’s game at Penn State.

Reese has gotten a handful of starts for the Buckeyes this season and figures to factor in again this week in State College against a Nittany Lion team that features two talented running backs. Reese currently has 19 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day declined to speak about the play following the game on Saturday. He will next meet with the media on Tuesday.

The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions will kickoff at 12:00 pm on FOX in State College on Saturday.

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