Alabama's Jameson Williams ejected for targeting vs. Auburn football on punt return
The No. 2 Alabama football team will be without wide receiver Jameson Williams for the rest of the 2021 Iron Bowl against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday.
With the Crimson Tide and Tigers tied 0-0 in the second quarter, Williams was ejected for targeting Auburn punt returner Ja'Varrius Johnson. On the possession following the penalty, Auburn scored a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
Before his ejection, Williams had two catches for 43 yards — with a long of 34 yards.
On the season, Williams has 61 catches for 1,261 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding receiver in FBS regardless of position.
Jameson Williams is ejected 😩pic.twitter.com/NuztdptRun
— Alabama DieHards (@DiehardsAlabama) November 27, 2021
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Williams' ejection prompted quite the reaction on social media.
Hate to see arguably the best player in this game but that was the right call there on Jameson Williams
— Tyler Joseph (@IDPDynasty) November 27, 2021
Jameson Williams getting ejected is such a game changer
— jmb (@4pf_furda) November 27, 2021
Losing Jameson Williams is huge for an already struggling offense
— Lou (@lou__100) November 27, 2021
Auburn will feel a lot better about stacking boxes w/out Jameson Williams out there, but Alabama is going to have to find a way to run it better anyway. Pass pro isn't good enough to throw all day.
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) November 27, 2021
Some were questioning why the wide receiver was on the punt team in the first place.
Jameson Williams on punt coverage? That cocky coaching gets you every time.
— SundazeWeigh (@sundazeweigh) November 27, 2021
I’m still confused on why Jameson Williams was on punt defense 🤣😭🥴
— Mooney™ (@Full_MOONey25) November 27, 2021
Alabama, ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, entered the game 10-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC. Most recently, Alabama beat Arkansas 42-35 on Nov. 20.
Auburn comes into the matchup 6-5 overall and 3-4 in the SEC. On Nov. 20, South Carolina defeated Auburn 21-17.
Nick Saban is the Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach. Bryan Harsin is the Auburn Tigers football head coach.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama's Jameson Williams ejected from Iron Bowl 2021 for targeting