Shamari Simmons targeting appeal denied, DB expected to miss half of Peach Bowl
Dec 16, 2024, 12:48 PM
Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons had a targeting penalty appeal denied and barring a last-minute change will miss the first half of the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1.
ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said Monday that he will try to make one last follow-up phone call hoping to convince decision-makers otherwise after Simmons was flagged and tossed in the second half of the Sun Devils’ Big 12 title game victory against Iowa State.
“As of now, Shamari is out. I’m trying to do a follow-up. I’ll try to do everything for that kid,” Dillingham said as the Sun Devils regathered for practice after taking a break.
“I’m going to shoot my shot to try to help Shamari.”
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The hit happened on the first play of the fourth quarter with the game already in hand as the Sun Devils led 45-10.
Simmons had a clear path to Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht but made helmet-to-helmet contact.
Simmons has 69 tackles with three forced fumbles, a pick and three passes defensed this year.
Targeting appeals are sent by teams and its conference to NCAA national coordinator of officiating Steve Shaw, who was a head referee in the SEC for 15 years. It is up to Shaw to determine Simmons’ availability.
“For something to be that close and, like, two inches are the difference in this kid being able to experience something that he’ll have for the rest of his life, I think the human in everybody should understand that this is something that should get overturned,” Dillingham said last week.
Dillingham said it “potentially” could be Kyan McDonald replacing Simmons if necessary but added it would depend on who ASU plays. Texas and Clemson play in a first-round game with the winner advancing to face the Sun Devils, who earned the No. 4 seed and bye with their Big 12 Championship win.
“It was unfortunate,” Dillingham said. “Shamari knew. He saw the quarterback looking away, so he made an emphasis to keep his head up. Then at the last second, you can see the quarterback turn towards him and lower himself a little bit. And that little bit of the turning and the lowering is what actually created the contact with the neck area.”
