NCAA Rules Committee Wants Changes
An NCAA committee has proposed rolling back some football rules that were enacted last season to shorten games after coaches complained the changes were unfair.
The NCAA football rules committee, meeting Wednesday in Albuquerque, N.M., recommended going back to starting the clock on the snap after a change of possession instead of when the referee signals the ball ready for play.
It also suggested starting the clock on kickoffs after the ball is touched by the receiving team rather than when it is kicked.
Last season, the average Division I-A game lasted 3 hours, 7 minutes — 14 minutes shorter than in 2005. In 2006, games averaged 127.5 plays, 14 fewer than a year earlier.
Coaches complained about the rule changes last season, particularly the rule starting the clock when the referee signaled.
To make up for the time being added back, the committee proposed the following changes:
• Using a 15-second play clock immediately after timeouts instead of a 25-second clock;
• Reducing timeouts from 65 seconds to 30 seconds;
• Kicking off from the 30-yard line instead of the 35 to cut down on touchbacks;
• Limiting the time officials have to review a replay to two minutes.
The rule changes need to be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on March 12.
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