CJ West’s suspension for the first half of Indiana football’s contest against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Saturday has been rescinded, according to Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.
Cignetti explained during the Inside IU Football radio show that the Big Ten submitted the play for review to the national coordinator of football officials. From there, the national coordinator determined to vacate West’s suspension. Cignetti was notified Thursday of the decision.
The redshirt senior defensive lineman was ejected against UCLA on Sept. 14 for targeting Bruins’ redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers. The foul took place on the opening play of the second half; therefore, West was due to serve a first-half suspension in Indiana’s next game.
Sophomore corner D’Angelo Ponds was also ejected for targeting against UCLA. Ponds, on the other hand, will still serve his half-long suspension against Charlotte on Saturday.
After the Hoosiers returned to Bloomington, Cignetti explained Monday he felt the targeting calls were “Mickey Mouse.”
While two Hoosiers were ejected for targeting, UCLA freshman wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer appeared to have targeted Indiana junior linebacker Aiden Fisher while the latter returned an interception.
However, after reviewing the play, the officials determined Gilmer didn’t target Fisher.
Cignetti disagreed, saying Gilmer’s hit was one of the hardest hits in the game, yet he wasn’t ejected for targeting.
Despite the barrage of targeting penalties — or lack thereof — in the second half from the officials inside the Rose Bowl Stadium, Cignetti said the Hoosiers won’t change the way they play.
The Hoosiers will face off with the Charlotte 49ers at noon Saturday inside Memorial Stadium. If the Hoosiers emerge victorious, Cignetti will become the first Indiana head coach to begin his tenure in Bloomington with a 4-0 record.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
