Miami coach Mario Cristobal laments 'unjustly administered' targeting penalty on Xavier Lucas

Miami will face a significant challenge in the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship without top pass defender Xavier Lucas. Lucas is suspended for the initial two quarters following a targeting penalty during the semifinal against Ole Miss. The incident, which occurred on an 11-yard play in the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl, led to his ejection and a 15-yard penalty for Miami. Coach Mario Cristobal has expressed concerns about the targeting rule and its impact on Lucas' availability for the championship game.

The absence of Lucas, who leads the Hurricanes with eight pass breakups, could be critical as Miami prepares to defend against Indiana's potent passing attack. Indiana, known for building early leads, could capitalize on Lucas' absence before he returns in the second half. The situation highlights ongoing debates about the fairness of the targeting rule, particularly in high-stakes games. Critics argue that the rule's current implementation, which can carry over suspensions to subsequent games, warrants reconsideration.