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Just one minute before the final whistle blew on the Buffalo Bills’ dominant 38-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, October 9, a scrum broke out between the two teams, leading to defensive end A.J. Epenesa’s ejection.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg tweeted, “Epenesa has been disqualified from the remaining minute of the game for making contact with an official,” and video of the altercation showed the referee losing his mind at Epenesa for what appeared to be an accidental elbow tap.
While it’s Epenesa’s responsibility to be aware of his surroundings, especially near a referee, the official was slammed on Twitter for his overly aggressive reaction.
One fan tweeted, “That ref acted like Epenesa committed murder on his family. Cool down old man,” while another person wrote, “That p**** ref talking to Epenesa like he’s gonna do something 😂.”
“That ref is a WEAK for that toss of Epenesa lol,” one fan tweeted.
“Ref almost losing it on Epenesa,” another fan tweeted.
“Expelling Epenesa for shaking off the ref when he didn’t know he was even there is a BS call,” one woman tweeted, ” while another fan wrote, “I would very much like to know what AJ Epenesa said to the ref.”
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive end received support on Twitter while analysts questioned John Hussey’s job. Football Zebras tweeted, “Epenesa reached the locker a minute before his teammates, as he was ejected for elbowing referee John Hussey, who is livid. SVP/officiating Walt Anderson affirmed the ejection. 5th ejection of season, 2nd by Hussey in 2 weeks.”
While speaking to reporters after the game, Epenesa appeared calm while discussing his first career ejection. However, he remained vague as to what caused Hussey’s major blow-up.
“I want to say tempers just got a little too high,” Epenesa said. “Energy was getting up. Maybe some frustrations from the other side, too. But I think it’s just hard competitive play. That’s just what it was.”
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted on Monday, October 10, that Epenesa “isn’t expected to be suspended” but the incident will “be revised for a possible fine, along with the rest of the incidents late in that game.”
Epenesa Is Already Having the Best Season of His Career
Epenesa, the Bills’ former second-round pick from the 2020 draft, participated in only 27% of the defensive snaps during the team’s 23-20 comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, per Sports Illustrated. However with several key starters injured, the 24-year-old was given the opportunity to prove himself on Sunday.
Before getting ejected, Epenesa recorded a sack on Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, bringing his season total to 2.5 sacks, the most sacks in a year of his career, per Pro Football Focus. During the Bills season opener against the Rams, Epenesa recorded 1.5 sacks and four quarterbacks hits.
Bills QB Josh Allen Broke Several Records Against the Steelers
Putting the ref’s questionable anger issues aside, the Bills’ win over the Steelers in Week 5 was a historic afternoon for the team. Not only did Sean McDermott surpass Mark Levy to become the franchise’s head coach with the highest win percentage (61.2%), but quarterback Josh Allen broke a personal and team record with his explosive performance.
The superstar quarterback, who was replaced by backup Case Keenum early in the fourth quarter, finished the game completing 20-of-31 passes for 424 yards, which is the most a Bills player “has ever passed for in regulation,” according to the team’s PR account. “Drew Bledsoe’s team record 463 passing yards came in an overtime win at Minnesota (9/15/02).”
Allen’s 13.7 yards per attempt will mark a single game career-high, surpassing 13.1 yards per attempt against the New York Jets on November 14, 2021.
The big win brought out breakout performances from several rookies, as well. Cornerback Kaiir Elam recorded his first interception of the season while wide receiver Khalil Shakir caught his first touchdown pass, a 24-yard scoring catch in the second quarter. Rookie running back James Cook also tallied his first touchdown, a 24-yard rushing in the fourth quarter.
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