Alabama’s Jordan Battle ejected from National Championship Game for targeting call

This was a scary hit in the National Championship Game by Jordan Battle with the defensive back immediately flagged for targeting on the play.

Some targeting calls are undeniably controversial, but there was nothing controversial about the call on Battle’s hit. The star defender for Alabama lowered his head and delivered a blow to the chin of Ohio State’s Jeremy Ruckert as Ruckert came across the field on his route.

Here are a couple of looks at the hit:

Was targeting the correct call on this play? pic.twitter.com/X5mRzrgnv0

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 12, 2021

Jordan Battle’s targeting penalty and ejection has been confirmed. pic.twitter.com/IBaggjfmcp

— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 12, 2021

A replay review confirmed the call of targeting, which means Battle is ejected for the remainder of the National Championship Game. That is a big blow for the Crimson Tide defense.

Entering Monday’s game, Battle was third on Alabama’s defense with 63 tackles on the season. He also has an interception and four passes defended.

That makes consecutive games for Ohio State with an opposing defender getting ejected. Fans will remember Clemson’s star linebacker James Skalski was ejected for his vicious hit on Justin Fields in the Sugar Bowl.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.