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Washington State linebacker Dominick Silvels has night cut short after targeting penalty against California

Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach speaks with quarterback Washington State Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) after WSU was forced to punt during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5495

PULLMAN – What looked like a textbook pass breakup ended up with a short night for Washington State’s rush linebacker Dominick Silvels on Saturday.

With just over a minute left in the first half on Saturday, California quarterback Chase Garbers tried to hit tight end Ian Bunting over the middle. But Silvels, who switched from inside linebacker during fall camp, arrived at Bunting just as the ball arrived.

Even though Coach Mike Leach and most of the crowd found nothing wrong with the hit, the referees confirmed the targeting call against Silvels and ejected him.

The 15-yard penalty gave Cal the ball at the WSU 21-yard line and eventually led to a 42-yard field goal by Greg Thomas.

Even though Silvels, a 6-3, 230-pound, will miss the second half, he can return for Washington’s State’s next game at Colorado.

While the penalty helped Cal tie the game, WSU marched down the field and took a 13-10 lead with a 36-yard field goal by Blake Mazza right before halftime.