Miami vs. Indiana: Officials don't flag Miami's Jakobe Thomas for targeting after high hit on Fernando Mendoza

Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas escaped a targeting penalty in the first quarter of the national championship game.

Thomas hit Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza in the chin with the crown of his helmet after Mendoza had handed the ball off on Indiana’s second drive of the game. Mendoza’s lip was bloodied after the collision.

No penalty was called on the play, much to the chagrin of Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, who immediately clamored for a flag to be thrown. Cignetti had a case. It was a textbook definition of the targeting rule in college football.

Had Thomas been flagged for targeting, Indiana would have gotten an automatic first down and moved half the distance to the goal line. Instead, the Hoosiers ultimately had to settle for a field goal and an early 3-0 lead.

A targeting penalty would also have meant an automatic ejection. And Miami was already playing the first half without one of their key players in the secondary. Xavier Lucas was ejected in the second half of the Hurricanes’ Fiesta Bowl win over Ole Miss for targeting and is having to serve a first-half suspension because of the penalty. Lucas is eligible to play in the national title game after halftime. Thomas would have missed the rest of the game had targeting been called.