KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association has announced a statement regarding the instant replay equipment malfunction during Central Missouri's home football game against Central Oklahoma.

During the second half of the September 9 football contest between the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Central Missouri, there was an instant replay equipment malfunction which impacted the ability for MIAA officials to review plays from any of the three instant replay cameras being used by UCM.

At 11:09 of the fourth quarter, targeting was called on UCM's defensive back Curtis Appleton II during a tackle on the UCO quarterback. There were no plays to review for this targeting call because of the equipment malfunction. As a result, the targeting call on the field was enforced and Appleton was ejected from this game and suspended from the first half of next Saturday’s game with Pittsburg State University (Sept. 16 in Warrensburg, Mo.). 

Per MIAA Instant Replay Policies, a targeting call not available for review due to an equipment failure/malfunction will be looked at by the referee at halftime (or after the game by the MIAA Supervisor of Officials) to determine if the call stands.

After reviewing the play in question from multiple angles, the MIAA Football Supervisor of Officials has concluded that the UCM's Appleton did not contact the runner with the crown of his helmet as defined by NCAA Rules. Therefore, Appleton will not be disqualified from participating in the first half of this Saturday’s game between Mules and Gorillas.