If you have ever played defense, you might know that defensive players (especially DB's) are taught to hit receivers in the vicinity of ball when the ball is touched. KVN touched the ball so Eason had every right to hit the receiver before the whistle was blow as a precaution to not allow a catch off a deflection. This is what happened, so no penalty and no flag.

In the hit where the player was ejected, the ref threw the flag right behind the hit. From the camera it looks like the ref watched the USU DB leave his feet and put his helmet in Apo's ear hole. Hence the "Targeting" call that was made on the field.