In the first overtime with Penn State leading 24-17, Dante Moore threw a wheel route to Jayden Limar.
It was third and 8 at the PSU 12. The junior from Lake Stevens, Washington caught it at the PSU 6 and slipped down to the 5, tackled by linebacker Tony Rojas.
As Limar went to the ground, Nittany Lion linebacker Amare Campbell, a transfer from North Carolina who had 6.5 sacks last year with the Tarheels, dove in helmet first and cracked him in the helmet. Limar's head snapped back like a crash test dummy as his knee hit the turf.
The play was reviewed for targeting but ruled no foul, the replay official deciding that Limar was not defenseless and Campbell had not used the crown of his helmet.
Call targeting. pic.twitter.com/aVSl5lMvQP
— Austin 🦆 (@deviousduck_) September 28, 2025
While the call may have been technically correct, the intent of the targeting rule was to promote player safety and exactly this kind of hit, forcible contact to the head and neck.
Campbell made a physical play, but he's got to be taught to lead with his shoulder and hit the running back's chest and shoulder.
In the flow of the game it proved not to matter. Dante Moore surged left on a keeper on 4th and 1 down to the PSU 2, then he tossed a shovel pass to reserve tight end Jamari Johnson for a touchdown. Atticus Sappington hit the PAT to send the game into a second overtime 24-24.
Tackles like this one not only risk serious injury; they threaten the viability of the game itself. The human brain and body are not made for collisions like that.
There were other controversial calls in the game, notably Noah Whittington ruled down on a fumble and Isaiah World not called for holding on a play where he tackled Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. This one stood out because it was so dangerous and points to a fundamental problem with the game.