Senior cornerback Pete Houlihan was ejected from Saturday’s game against Northern Illinois, and because of the targeting rule, the Eastern starter will also miss the first half against Eastern Kentucky in the Panthers’ Ohio Valley Conference opener on Saturday.

With less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter against Northern, Houlihan delivered a shoulder to the head of Huskie receiver Angelo Sebastiano near the Huskies’ sideline.

Sebastiano would have to be helped off the field with the aid coaches and trainers.

A second after the Eastern cornerback hit Sebastiano, a flag was thrown. 

Not only did the penalty cost the Panther defense 15 yards it also led to Houlihan’s disqualification for the remainder of the game.

“When I hit him initially, it kind of went through my head that I could get ejected after seeing him on the ground,” Houlihan said.

The play began with Houlihan matched up against Da’Ron Brown, who was lined up near the Panther sideline. 

Northern quarterback Jordan Lynch was rushed out of the pocket as Eastern defensive lineman Pat Wertz chased him.

As Lynch ran to his right, he threw the ball to Sebastiano. 

Even though Lynch did not throw across his body, his pass tailed to the right of Sebastiano, who reached out to make the catch.

Brown, who Houlihan was originally covering, was running a drag route right across the middle of the field that led to Sebastiano, who was standing near the sideline.

“I was going full speed and I saw a receiver with his hands up, going to catch the ball, and my reaction was to play fast and be physical and tackle him,” Houlihan said. “In the way that he came down, the position of his head was right where my shoulder was heading.”

Houlihan said he was frustrated with the decision, especially because Eastern was losing 30-26 and he was having a good game, collecting eight tackles and his first interception of the season.

Eastern coach Dino Babers said he did not see the hit live, but after reviewing the film he said it was the correct decision by the officials.

“Pete did not do it on purpose, but when you look at the act itself, I believe the officials got it right,” Babers said. 

Babers said he showed the play to the entire defense and explained to Houlihan that he would not appeal the call because he felt it would not be overturned.

The targeting rule states players who target and contact defenseless opponents above the shoulders will be ejected. 

The Football Rules Committee first approved the ejection clause of the rule in February and then the Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved it in March.

Houlihan said once he saw the replay he understood that it was the right call, but said he did not think he could have avoided the hit in that situation.

“The way he caught the ball and came down, I was already going full speed,” he said. “I didn’t really think there was a way for me to stop, and I was just playing football.”

The targeting rule also states that when a player is ejected from the game in the second half, that player will also be out for the first half of the next game.

Houlihan has started in all but three games since 2011. Babers said Houlihan’s absence will be great on Saturday.

“The guy makes plays all over the field,” Babers said. “He’s one of our team leaders. It’s a big deal that he’s out for the first half.”

Houlihan said the only advantage of missing the first half on Saturday is that he would have fresh legs, but was still upset about having to sit out the first 30 minutes.

“It’s because EKU is a huge rivalry, it’s a huge game,” Houlihan said. “It’s family weekend and I’m a senior — it’s two quarters that I’m never going to get back.”

In the meantime, Babers said there was a battle during practice this week to see who would fill in for Houlihan against Eastern Kentucky.

Houlihan said it could it either be sophomore Anthony Goodman or red-shirt senior Alex McNulty, who had two interceptions against San Diego State on Aug. 31.

“I think whoever starts will do a good job,” Houlihan said.

Houlihan said being called for targeting can be avoided, but it can still be tough because of the environment in which someone who grows up playing football lives in.

“In some instances it’s hard because of the way you have been brought up to play football — to hit people,” Houlihan said. “It’s definitely preventable. You just have to be smart and pick where you can take your shots and where you can’t.”

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].