I thought the Vandy play was something that already has been penalized for the past few years.
No, my memory of the rule is that players who are defenseless (such as one exposed after an overthrown pass) can't be hit. But this guy from Vandy hit the receiver as the ball arrived, and seemed to be aiming at the ball (to knock it loose). He did not aim at the head, it seemed. The receiver lowered his head slightly, but I think it was the headgear flying off that resulted in the penalty. That's not right!