Why did the referee eject Miami Hurricanes DL Ahmad Moten from the Georgia Tech game?

The referees missed one but deemed Miami Hurricanes DL Ahmad Moten's challenge on Georgia Tech's running back Trey Cooley as targeting and ejected him.

Why did the referee eject Miami Hurricanes DL Ahmad Moten from the Georgia Tech game?

Miami DL Ahmad Moten tackles Georgia Tech's running back (Image via ESPN/X)

Cam Ward’s best efforts went in vain as the Miami Hurricanes lost their first game of the season, but the talking point from the fixture was the ejection of Ahmad Moten. The referees penalized him for a late hit on a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets player.

Georgia running back Trey Cooley ran the ball for a short gain when Miami’s DL CJ Clark grabbed his facemask. Cooley managed to break free until another Miami defender rammed into him.

YouTube video

Moten saw the opportunity for Clark’s progress, and he took it. He lowered his head just before the contact, making Cooley lose his footing.

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Miami’s Ahmad Moten ejected for dangerous play

After Cooley grabbed the ball from Georgia quarterback Haynes King with just two minutes left in the third quarter, he was impeded by the Hurricanes DL, who grabbed his mask. A video from the moment became viral because one of the referees, who was standing very close to the action, threw a yellow flag to signal the foul on Georgia’s running back.

Right after that, Cooley was knocked onto the turf by the Canes’ DL Ahmad Moten. Cooley’s helmet went flying off his head. The officials immediately stopped the clock, and after a short chat among themselves, they ejected Moten for targeting.

Miami almost had a second ejection in the game

Georgia wide receiver Malik Rutherford has had a good season up until this point. However, his season almost ended while playing the Canes. Miami linebacker Wesley Bissainthe made contact with the helmet of Rutherford’s crown before two other players converged on him.

Why did the referee eject Miami Hurricanes DL Ahmad Moten from the Georgia Tech game
Cam Ward (Image via ESPN)

The impact left Rutherford tipsy, and it took the wideout a moment to get his bearings. The officials did not see any faults in the challenge, even though the rule book clearly states that a hit on the helmet’s crown is enough to eject a player.

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Regardless, Rutherford went on to score a touchdown in the second quarter. King after the snap, found Rutherford open on his left, and he made a couple of Miami players miss before walking the ball inside the endzone.

Miami Hurricanes lose first game of the season

Although the Hurricanes started better of the two sides on the day, the Yellow Jackets quickly took control of the fixture after Rutherford’s touchdown before halftime. Georgia stayed in the lead, and whenever Miami got closer, Brent Kelly’s Georgia increased their lead.

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Heisman favorite Cam Ward tried his best to reduce the deficit, but a 38-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo was his final contribution to the game. Georgia handed #4-ranked Miami their first defeat of the season, 23-28.

Ward finished with 25/39 completed passes for 348 yards and 3 touchdowns. Next week, the Hurricanes welcome Wake Forest to Miami while Georgia hosts North Carolina State.