Mississippi State football's Jackie Matthews ejected for targeting vs. Alabama

TUSCALOOSA — The officials were active in the early part of Mississippi State football's game Saturday at Alabama, and one call was made easy.

Early in the second quarter, MSU safety Jackie Matthews was ejected for targeting. Matthews led with his helmet for a hit on Alabama receiver Isaiah Bond. Bond went to the medical tent following the play.

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The review didn't take long for officials to confirm the call. Matthews was ejected from the game.

On the first play after the penalty, Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs scored a 19-yard touchdown run to put his team up 14-0.

Matthews is a graduate transfer from West Virginia in his first season with MSU. He has appeared in all seven of MSU's games and had 28 tackles entering Saturday.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football vs. Alabama: Jackie Matthews called for targeting