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NCAA News Archive - 2007
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Football group adjusts timing rules to gain balance
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The NCAA News
The NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed several rules items intended to restore the number of plays while limiting the amount of elapsed time needed to play a college contest. The committee, which met February 11-14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, voted to eliminate provisions used last year that helped shave 14 minutes off of game times.
“Overall, the changes we made last year did not have the desired positive effect on college football at all levels,” said Michael Clark, chair of the committee and head coach at Bridgewater College (Virginia). “Our charge is to protect the game and do what is best for college football. Last year’s game lost too many plays, but it accomplished the need to shorten the overall time it takes to play a game. The changes we have made for 2007 balance both issues.”
The proposals from committee must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel before becoming effective. That group meets March 12.
In the proposed changes, the clock will start on the snap after a change in possession, as opposed to the 2006 rule which started the clock when the referee signaled the ball ready for play. Also, the committee returned its rules on free kicks to 2005 standards, starting the clock on kickoffs only when the ball is legally touched in the field of play.
The committee also recommended several rules changes to reduce some of the dead time during games (see accompanying chart).
In another significant proposal, the committee recommends moving kickoffs back five yards to the 30-yard line.
“We’re adding an exciting play — the kickoff return — back into the game,” Clark said. “There won’t be as many touchbacks, and there is going to be better field position and lead to more scoring. We also think it addresses dead-time issues, since a touchback essentially is dead time.”
If a kickoff goes out of bounds, the offense will start its drive at the 35-yard line.
“It will put the onus on the kicking team to be prepared,” said rules committee member and University of Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. “It will be rare to have a kicker who can kick it out of the end zone from the 30-yard line. We anticipate more returns, and it will put a lot of pressure on the defense.”
In other news, the committee approved a 40-second/25-second play clock combination to begin in 2008. The committee, reviewing strong support for a 40-second/25-second play clock from coaches, officials and administrators, approved the move to achieve a more uniform pace of play.
“Overall, the changes we made last year did not have the desired positive effect on college football at all levels,” said Michael Clark, chair of the committee and head coach at Bridgewater College (Virginia). “Our charge is to protect the game and do what is best for college football. Last year’s game lost too many plays, but it accomplished the need to shorten the overall time it takes to play a game. The changes we have made for 2007 balance both issues.”The proposals from committee must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel before becoming effective. That group meets March 12.
In the proposed changes, the clock will start on the snap after a change in possession, as opposed to the 2006 rule which started the clock when the referee signaled the ball ready for play. Also, the committee returned its rules on free kicks to 2005 standards, starting the clock on kickoffs only when the ball is legally touched in the field of play.
The committee also recommended several rules changes to reduce some of the dead time during games (see accompanying chart).
In another significant proposal, the committee recommends moving kickoffs back five yards to the 30-yard line.
“We’re adding an exciting play — the kickoff return — back into the game,” Clark said. “There won’t be as many touchbacks, and there is going to be better field position and lead to more scoring. We also think it addresses dead-time issues, since a touchback essentially is dead time.”
If a kickoff goes out of bounds, the offense will start its drive at the 35-yard line.
“It will put the onus on the kicking team to be prepared,” said rules committee member and University of Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. “It will be rare to have a kicker who can kick it out of the end zone from the 30-yard line. We anticipate more returns, and it will put a lot of pressure on the defense.”
In other news, the committee approved a 40-second/25-second play clock combination to begin in 2008. The committee, reviewing strong support for a 40-second/25-second play clock from coaches, officials and administrators, approved the move to achieve a more uniform pace of play.
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