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NCAA formally adopts new clock run off rules, rejects Boise State one

Boise State will continue being able to wear blue jerseys on their blue home turf. - Brian Losness-US PRESSWIRE

After previously announcing potential college football rule changes and regulations for the 2013 season, the NCAA formally adopted almost all of those regulations Thursday, only electing to skip a rule which would've prohibited Boise State from wearing their home blue uniforms on their home blue turf.

The regulatory panel's denial of the Football Rules Committee’s proposal to require an institution’s jersey or pants color to be different from the field of play, regardless of your take on Boise State's aesthetic prowess, is likely a good one. The rule could've been legalistically interpreted as not allowing schools like Michigan State, Oregon, and UAB from wearing their green uniforms on the natural green turf.

Amongst the rules that were actually adopted, most pertain to end of half/game clock run off penalties though one change targets violent hits on oft defenseless players. Under the new rule, players who target and contact defeneless players above the shoulders are ejected in addition to the existing 15-yard penalty. The ejection portion of the penalty is also reviewable though the replay official must determine that there's conclusive video evidence that a player should not be ejected in order to overturn the ruling on the field.

The rest of rule changes the NCAA did enact go into effect immediately and are as follows:

  • To add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock stoppage is because of injury.
  • To establish three seconds as the minimum amount of time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is only time for the offense to run one more play.
  • To require a player that changes numbers during the game to report this to the referee, who will announce it.
  • To preclude multiple players from the same team from wearing the same uniform number (for example, two quarterbacks on the same team are not allowed to have the same number).
  • To allow the use of electronic communication by the on-field officiating crew (the practice was used successfully on an experimental basis by the Southeastern Conference). This is a permissive rule and not a requirement.
  • To allow instant replay to adjust the clock at the end of each quarter. Previously, this provision was in place only for the end of each half.
  • To clarify uniform rules as follows: "Jerseys must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back, respectively, and be of one solid color that itself is clearly in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any border around the number." This rule goes into effect for Football Bowl Subdivision teams in 2013. Football Championship Subdivision, Division II and Division III teams will have until 2014 before the rule becomes effective.

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