Alabama wide receiver Derek Meadows was completely knocked out by a big hit from Missouri defensive back Marvin Burks Jr. The college football officiating crew ultimately ruled targeting.
Was it the correct decision?
The rules of targeting are very clearly defined by the college football rulebook. However, it is a subjective ruling that is ultimately determined by the referees.
Derek Meadows was able to walk off the field.
The scary moment took place during the first quarter. Meadows, a true freshman, lined up on the right side of the formation and ran a go route.
Ty Simpson immediately threw in the direction of his 6-foot-5, 212-pound pass-catcher as he streaked across the middle. His pass was high.
Meadows skied up to catch the pass between a pair of Missouri defenders. The cornerback was to his back. Burks very quickly closed in front his front.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound safety laid a big hit on Meadows right as the wide receiver’s right leg landed back on the ground. The collision left him face down on the field. He did not move. He was out cold.
Scary hit on Alabama's Derek Meadows pic.twitter.com/l2YdM4KUPi
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) October 11, 2025
Meadows was eventually able to return to his feet and walked off of the field with help from Alabama’s medical staff. A thumbs up to the crowd was a very positive sign.
Alabama’s Derek Meadows gave a
— Taylor Kauffman (@_TaylorKauffman) October 11, 2025to the bama fans after leaving the game after getting injured on a Mizzou targeting play pic.twitter.com/8GGGShpZxu
The Crimson Tide will be without him for the foreseeable future.
Marvin Burks was ejected for targeting.
College football officials immediately reviewed the play for targeting. Marvin Burks was ejected.
Per the NCAA, targeting is defined as any hit that “goes beyond making a legal tackle or legal block or playing the ball.” It is a subjective penalty, but four key indicators of targeting are outlined in the college football rulebook:
- Launch — a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area.
- A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.
- Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
- Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.
Burks’ feet did not leave the ground when he made the hit on Meadows. He did not lead with his helmet. He did not initiate forcible contact with the crown of the helmet. It appears as though the Missouri defensive back’s shoulder first made contact to the chest of the Alabama wide receiver.
Perhaps you could say Burks crouched and thrusted. Maybe there is another angle that provides better clarity of the exact point of contact.
In my opinion, Burks had no other option but to let Meadows make the catch and potentially run for a big game. I don’t know how else that pass can be defended. I question the targeting call.
The post Alabama Wide Receiver Knocked Out Cold By Scary Hit Draws Controversial Targeting Ejection appeared first on BroBible.
Alabama Wide Receiver Knocked Out Cold By Scary Hit Draws Controversial Targeting Ejection
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