Denzel Burke started his interview session with reporters Wednesday evening by saying he didn’t want to discuss his targeting ejection in the Western Michigan game.

“There’s no point in talking about it,” the Ohio State cornerback said.

But Burke is candid by nature, so it didn’t take much coaxing for that reticence to fade.

Burke was called for targeting at the end of a play in which Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs had a helmet-to-helmet hit with Western Michigan running back Jaden Nixon. After Nixon glanced off Downs’ hit, Burke hit him as both players lowered their heads.

“It was a bullcrap call,” Burke said. “I really didn’t understand it. And it's kind of been going around the country. I saw one with Florida and with (Texas) A&M. That was a bad call, too. And then my call. It’s kind of just getting out of hand, and then the fact that you're out the whole game, and the player’s not even hurt.

“I was the last one in. I guess I could see the perspective the refs were looking at. But yeah, it sucks.”

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The play happened late in the first quarter, so Burke won’t be forced to miss any of the No. 3 Buckeyes game Saturday against Marshall (1-1). If the ejection had occurred in the second half, Burke would have missed the first half against the Thundering Herd.

“Thank God,” Burke said. “I’m really excited for that.”

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the team sought and received an explanation from the Big Ten about the ejection.

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“I don't think I'm at liberty to speak about that,” Day said. “I don't want to get myself jammed up. But yeah, we asked those questions, and I know there's a lot of conversation around that right now just in general.

“We'll keep teaching our guy to do things the right way. But I can promise there's nobody on our team that's looking to lead with their head when they tackle.”

Burke didn’t miss too much by missing the final three quarters. Western Michigan, like Akron in the opener, was overmatched by the Buckeyes’ defense, which hasn’t allowed a touchdown.

Burke even acknowledged that he wishes Ohio State faced tougher challenges early this season. At least Marshall is expected to throw the ball plenty with its Air Raid scheme.

“I’m excited for them to throw the ball,” he said, “and put myself in position to make a play, hopefully turn the ball over. They’re a good team. They do things well schematically, so I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What did OSU cornerback Denzel Burke say about his targeting ejection?