Ohio State had to wait all day to play their game against Western Michigan Saturday night, and it didn’t take long for the Buckeyes to get rolling. Quarterback Will Howard and the offense went down the field and scored, and the defense was flying all over and making plays.
One of the defensive leaders, cornerback Denzel Burke, decided to return to college this season instead of heading to the NFL, and on Saturday, his night ended early after a horrible call.
Late in the first quarter, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Buke were making a tackle on a Western Michigan player, and Buke lowered his helmet a little, not using the crown, and the officials called targeting, ejecting him from the game.
Ohio State CB Denzel Burke is disqualified after he’s called for targeting here.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. is coming in for Burke. pic.twitter.com/fHE5yiM3Ra
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) September 8, 2024
It was a horrible call, and luckily for Bukre, it happened in the first half, so he won’t be suspended for the first half of the next game in two weeks against Marshall.
Buckeye fans were unhappy with the call on their star corner and took to social media to give their reactions.
Ohio State Fans Reaction On Burke’s Ejection
Osu21um Kwr 47
Denzel Burke ejected for playing football.
— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) September 8, 2024
That’s a horrendous call on Denzel Burke
— Nick Fink (@finkn23) September 8, 2024
Just a ridiculous Targeting call against Denzel Burke. Dude is just bracing for contact and then gets thrown out of the game. Absolutely ridiculous.
— Buckeye HQ (@RealisticBuck) September 8, 2024
Denzel Burke Targeting call was one of the worst I’ve seen
— B (@DntCallMeUnit91) September 8, 2024
What a soft call on Denzel Burke.
— Brandon Little (@BrandonLittleBL) September 8, 2024
THAT IS A HORRIBLE TARGETING CALL ON DENZEL BURKE!
HORRIBLE!!!!
— Chimdi Chekwa (@ChimChek) September 8, 2024
❌’s only highlight today is a Denzel Burke bogus targeting call.
— S Crowe (@SCrowe1969) September 8, 2024
There needs to be a way to appeal ridiculous ejections during the game/halftime. An apology on Tuesday does Denzel Burke no good.
— Bob Anglin (@BobAnglin1) September 8, 2024
Also Denzel Burke was not doing any targeting. #badcall #badrefs
— Colton Rice (@coltonrice01) September 8, 2024