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Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown ejected for targeting vs. Pitt

Matt Connollyby: Matt Connolly11/16/24MattConnollyOn3

Clemson was already thin at linebacker against Pitt with Wade Woodaz out with an injury. Now Tigers freshman star Sammy Brown is done for the day, as well. Brown was ejected for targeting late in the first half against the Panthers.

Brown was called for targeting for his hit on Pitt quarterback Nate Yarnell. The hit came on third-and-long and gave the Panthers a first down.

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Sammy Brown didn’t hit Yarnell in the helmet, but he did lower his head and lead with the crown of his helmet, per the official. While the announcers on ESPN thought that the call was correct, Dabo Swinney wasn’t as sure when he spoke with ESPN at halftime.

“Sammy Brown, that’s a tough call. That’s a tough call right there. So Dee Crayton’s gotta step up,” Swinney said.

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Sammy Brown entered Saturday’s game against Pitt fifth on the Clemson team in tackles. He was making the second start of his career against the Panthers.

Clemson down multiple starters vs. Pitt

In addition to losing Sammy Brown for targeting during the game, Clemson was already without leading tackler Wade Woodaz, starting left tackle Tristan Leigh and starting left guard Marcus Tate.

Woodaz was on the travel roster. However, he did not dress out. Leigh and Tate did not travel to Pitt.

Leigh has started every game for Clemson this season. However, he was banged up last weekend in a win over Virginia Tech. Marcus Tate has started seven of nine games but was out last weekend against the Hokies.

As for Woodaz, he leads the Tigers with 65 tackles, which is 17 more than anyone else on the team. He also has 6.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks on the year.

Pitt is dealing with injuries, too. Starting quarterback Eli Holstein is out against the Tigers. The Panthers have also had multiple players go down with injuries during the game against Clemson. The Tigers led 17-7 at halftime vs. Pitt.