Texas CB Jalen Green issues statement on his targeting penalty against Kansas State

After a blindside, cheap shot against Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Wykeen Gill on Saturday that resulted in a targeting penalty and ejection for Texas Longhorns cornerback Jalen Green, the sophomore issued a statement through the school on Wednesday.

“First and foremost I want to apologize to Wykeen Gill and Kansas State for the hit and targeting penalty that I received during Saturday’s game,” Green said. “I did not try to hurt him, and I would never do that. It’s not how we’re coached or how I play. I have great respect for the game of football and my intent was to break up a screen play that had gotten us several times during the game. I realize how it may have looked, and I understand the penalty that was called. I wish it didn’t happen, and I do want everyone to know I was not trying to take a cheap shot.”

The play happened in the fourth quarter on the opposite side of the field from the play’s ultimate direction. And although the flag wasn’t thrown initially, the replay booth reviewed the play, resulting in the targeting penalty and ejection.

Green will also miss the first half of the Iowa State game.

This week, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman wasn’t happy about the play and believes that there should be further punishment for Green.

“It’s unfortunate because it was away from the play, didn’t have anything to do with the play (and now) Wykeen’s going to miss a game,” Klieman said on Tuesday. “You have a hit like that and someone only misses a half, I don’t think that’s very fair.”

Texas has not announced any discipline for Green beyond the mandated first-half suspension.

Green has 21 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three pass breakups this season after missing three games with a dislocated shoulder.