Why is Miami's Xavier Lucas suspended for first half of national championship?

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Miami football’s defense has paved the way for the Hurricanes to make it all the way to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship against No. 1 Indiana at Hard Rock Stadium.

That said, the Hurricanes‘ defense will be without a key playmaker for the first half.

Sophomore defensive back Xavier Lucas is sidelined for the entire first half as a result of a fourth-quarter ejection for targeting in the Hurricanes’ CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal against No. 6 Mississippi.

REQUIRED READING: Miami to be without starting TE Elija Lofton for national championship game

Lucas, who joined the Hurricanes from Wisconsin this offseason, won’t be the only key member of Miami’s roster missing time in the national championship, as starting tight end Elija Lofton was ruled out for the game in the Hurricanes’ initial CFP injury report on Friday, Jan. 16.

Here’s what to know on why Lucas will be missing the first half of Monday’s national championship:

Why is Xavier Lucas suspended for first half of national championship?

Lucas is suspended for the first half of Monday’s national championship because of his ejection for targeting occurred in the second half of Miami’s CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Ole Miss on Thursday, Jan. 8 (the fourth quarter, specifically).

Per NCAA rules, players ejected for targeting in the second half of a game must miss the remainder of the contest, plus the first half of the ensuing game.

The Hurricanes’ defensive back lowered the crown of his helmet as he hit Ole Miss receiver Cayden Lee in his helmet. As a result of the targeting penalty being upheld, Lucas was ejected from the remainder of the game while Miami was hit with a 15-yard penalty. The direct result of the penalty cost Miami three points, as Ole Miss hit a 21-yard field goal on that drive.

Here’s a look at the play that Lucas was called for targeting:

Asked about the targeting play, Lucas told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg during CFP media day on Saturday, Jan. 17 that his emotions will be “a little high” when he steps onto the field in the second half vs. the Hoosiers’ offense.

“The emotion is probably going to be a little high. But I’ve just got to stay level-headed, and just make plays when they come my way,” Lucas said.

Lucas ranks eighth among Miami defenders in total tackles with 45. He also has an interception on the season, which came in Week 9 on Saturday, Oct. 25 against Stanford.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Xavier Lucas suspended for first half of CFP championship game?

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