The targeting penalty that got cornerback Bradley Roby ejected from Saturday's win over Iowa angered Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer was still upset on Monday at his weekly press conference.
Roby left his feet but led with his shoulder on a first-quarter hit of Iowa tight end C.J. Fedorowicz after Fedorowicz caught a pass. The play was flagged and the ejection upheld after a video review. After the game, Meyer promised to pursue the matter and ask for answers because he believed Roby should not have been ejected.
"That was not the intent of the rule," Meyer said. "That play... that rule was not put for that play. I guess the term defenseless receiver will come up at times, too. Our job is to teach. What do you teach, 'boom, you're in a contact (position),' we teach them to get your pads down, hit with your shoulder pads."
Meyer said he's never had a problem with Big Ten officials, especially from a communication standpoint, and said he was told on the field that the ejection goes upstairs to the replay official.
"He has a hard job," Meyer said.
The ejection was another forgettable moment for Roby in a season that at this point would have to be labeled disappointing considering his talent and his own expectations.
"I think he did set a high standard and we set a high standard," Meyer said. "He's not playing at the same level he did a year ago. At times he plays fantastic. When there's a mistake on the corner position it's glaring. He works his tail off, he has a great work ethic, attitude, he's coming back every day. He's going to finish the year strong."
Ohio State, which slipped to No. 4 in the latest coaches poll and is also No. 4 in the initial BCS standings, returns to action Saturday, hosting Penn State in an 8 p.m. ET national television game.
ON POINT: Quarterback Braxton Miller was 22 of 27 passing vs. Iowa, and Meyer said Miller "probably played his best game overall."
Meyer and the staff give "champion" grades after each game. Miller and Andrew Norwell shared offensive player of the game honors while C.J. Barnett was the defensive player of the game. Other players with champion grades were Marcus Hall, Jack Mewhort, Jeff Heuerman, Evan Spencer, Devin Smith, Philly Brown and Carlos Hyde on offense, Doran Grant on defense and Drew Basil and Devan Bogard on special teams.
UP FRONT: Meyer said sophomore defensive tackle Tommy Schutt's cameo role in his season debut went well and that Schutt will get more snaps going forward. Freshman defensive tackle Michael Hill has a shoulder injury and could receive a medical redshirt.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Ohio State's Nov. 2 game at hapless Purdue will start at noon and be televised by Big Ten Network.
