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Was Michigan State football robbed on targeting call on LB Jordan Turner? You decide

Michigan State football linebacker Jordan Turner was ejected from Saturday's game against Michigan for targeting on quarterback Alex Orji at the end of the third quarter.

Turner is one of five captains.

He leads the Spartans with 48 tackles in eight games.

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith watches a play against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith watches a play against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

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Not only did Turner get ejected, but he won't be allowed to play for Michigan State in the first half of next Saturday's game against No. 13 Indiana, which improved to 8-0 for its best start since 1967 as one of eight undefeated teams remaining.

The targeting call occurred on the final play of the third quarter, as Orji rushed for 7 yards. On the play, Turner dipped his head and used the crown of his helmet in an attempt to tackle Orji. The referees determined targeting during the ensuing media timeout, ahead of the fourth quarter.

Turner, a redshirt senior from Farmington Hills, recorded five tackles — including one solo tackle — in Saturday's rivalry matchup against the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

He transferred to Michigan State in December 2023 after spending the 2020-23 seasons at Wisconsin. In 2023, Turner was ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter of Wisconsin's season opener against Buffalo.

MORE ABOUT HIM: LB Jordan Turner's improvement making Michigan State's defense play quicker in the middle

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Was Michigan State football robbed on targeting call on Jordan Turner?