Fallout continues from the controversial hit delivered by Alabama's Dallas Turner on LSU's Jayden Daniels in Saturday night's game, leaving Daniels sidelined due to a concussion. The play, which occurred in the fourth quarter and resulted in a penalty for roughing the passer, has raised questions as to why it was not also considered a targeting call.

Both head coaches, Brian Kelly of LSU and Nick Saban of Alabama, acknowledged that the hit was illegal during their Monday press conferences. Kelly revealed that they submitted a video of the play to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) office in Birmingham, seeking an explanation for the no-call. "We want to protect the quarterback, and we felt that the play checked all the boxes for targeting," Kelly explained.

Daniels' condition is currently listed as "day-to-day" following the hit. The sequence of events after the collision was described as bizarre, with Daniels not recording another snap. Backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier stepped in but was unable to mount a comeback effort as the Tide's defense held LSU to only seven points in the second half.

During his press conference, Saban addressed the issue, noting that Turner's helmet did not make direct contact with Daniels' head; instead, it slid up during the hit. Despite acknowledging that it was not an intentional hit to the head, Saban admitted that any hit to the quarterback's head is considered a foul and would typically result in a penalty.

The 2023 NCAA football rule book states that no player should make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless player, nor should they make contact using the crown (top) of their helmet. The rule, which came into effect in 2022, clarifies that the focus should be on the top of the helmet, and the term "forcible contact" replaces the word "initiate."

Adding to the conversation, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin expressed his surprise at the officials' decision not to eject Turner for the hit. Kiffin shared his thoughts with local reporters, stating that he was "blown away" by the ruling.

Even Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe acknowledged that there were instances during the game where he wondered if LSU defenders had gotten away with hard hits. However, regarding the Turner hit, Milroe emphasized the resilient nature of football and the need to focus on the next play. "That's football," he said. "You've got to get up and look at the next play. I'm glad that wasn't me on the field."

The fallout from the controversial hit continues to generate discussion and debate in the aftermath of the Alabama-LSU game. Fans, coaches, and officials will await further clarification from the SEC office on whether the hit should have been deemed targeting, as the discourse surrounding player safety remains at the forefront of collegiate football.