http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2544174

Quote :

"The NCAA rules committee approved eight rules changes in May that will take effect for the 2006 college football season. And while the amendments range from the mundane (shortening halftime) to the marked (instant replay will be used throughout Division I-A for the first time), it's a rule change governing the game clock that has aroused some coaches' ire. According to Rule 3-2-5, the game clock will start as soon as the ball is kicked in a kickoff situation. Previously, the clock would only start once the receiving team touched the ball. In addition, Rule 3-2-5-e states that, after a team gets a first down, the clock will begin running again on the ready-for-play signal. Previously, the clock did not resume until the team snapped the ball. While the rationale behind the changes was to shorten the game, that explanation has done little to quell the outrage of some coaches. "I am appalled at the rule changes," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti told USA Today. "They are major and very severe and will change the game as we know it." Many coaches believe these changes will eliminate 10 to 15 plays per game. "I think it will help the underdog teams," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier told USA Today. "If you're the underdog, obviously you would like fewer plays in the game." Penn State coach Joe Paterno brought out another perhaps unintended effect of the new rule. "When you kick the ball, [the clock] starts. Kick it out of bounds with 8-10 seconds to go, the game's over," Paterno said to USA Today. "We've got to expose our kids to it in preseason practice." Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, who sits on the NCAA rules committee, tried to answer some of the criticisms offered by his colleagues. "We weren't looking to take plays away from the game," Tuberville told USA Today. "We were looking to … get away from some of these 3-hour, 45-minute games in hot weather or cold weather. This is obviously an experiment. Anything we do in the rules committee can be changed next year.""

If the committee is so concerned about the length of the games maybe they could try eliminating some of the 2-4 minute TV timeouts instead of chopping off vital seconds from key times in the game.

8/9/2006 8:48:25 AM

Paterno makes a VERY good point. 5 seconds left, you have to kick to the other team with a dangerous returner, you would usually kick it out of bounds or for a touchback and the other team would still have 5 seconds to make a play. Now, Kick the touchback. Game over.

8/9/2006 8:55:48 AM

this is total bull shit i think

8/9/2006 9:02:43 AM

this is just something else State will fuck up....

8/9/2006 9:12:54 AM

^stfu... that's not even applicable or funny.

8/9/2006 9:14:05 AM

^^ should say this is something that will eventually bite state it the ass because we will be the team with the dangerous returner and down by 3 with 10 seconds left...

8/9/2006 1:37:20 PM

JoPa won

8/9/2006 1:57:31 PM

Well, if someone kicks the ball out of bounds, then it is a penalty. Last time I checked, a game can not end on a penalty.

8/9/2006 2:01:05 PM

touchback

8/9/2006 2:03:05 PM

^

8/9/2006 2:28:31 PM

Quote :

"Rule 3-2-5-e states that, after a team gets a first down, the clock will begin running again on the ready-for-play signal. Previously, the clock did not resume until the team snapped the ball. "

This is fucked up. I really liked this rule because it is what makes college ball significantly different than pro ball. In the NFL, teams trying to win the game on the last drive can use the 2-minute warning to help them out. In college ball, teams used to rely on getting first downs to stop the clock or throwing to the sideline. Now, some teams are going to be at a disadvantage in end-game situations. Not a fan....

8/9/2006 3:23:14 PM

Quote :

"According to Rule 3-2-5, the game clock will start as soon as the ball is kicked in a kickoff situation."

I personally dislike this aspect as Joe Pa and others in this thread mentioned...of course its an equal (dis)advantage for either team...get the lead and it shouldnt affect you

Quote :

"Previously, the clock would only start once the receiving team touched the ball. In addition, Rule 3-2-5-e states that, after a team gets a first down, the clock will begin running again on the ready-for-play signal. Previously, the clock did not resume until the team snapped the ball."

I dont have a problem with this at all myself...a first down still stops the clock and if you have 1st and 10 you could easily spike the ball as soon as the ref signals the ball ready to play...I can foresee potential problems with defenders getting up very slowly off ball carriers but that happened regardless

8/9/2006 3:38:23 PM

the "ready-for-play signal" has always bugged me, just b/c it seems so arbitrary.

8/9/2006 3:49:23 PM

Quote :

"Not a fan...."

All of these mean 10-15 minutes less time for football.

8/9/2006 4:34:44 PM

Quote :

"Rule 3-2-5-e states that, after a team gets a first down, the clock will begin running again on the ready-for-play signal. Previously, the clock did not resume until the team snapped the ball."

Just to clarify on this one... the change does NOT refer to all first downs (because its already in effect for standard first downs). Its only when there is a change of posession (turnover, kickoff, punt). Currently its like a mini-timeout when there is a change of posession and this changes that.

The kickoff clock shit is retarded.

8/9/2006 4:39:55 PM

Quote :

"Its only when there is a change of posession (turnover, kickoff, punt). Currently its like a mini-timeout when there is a change of posession and this changes that. "

i'm not sure if thats correct...if you intercept a pass and get tackled i dont think they are going to start the clock before the first snap of your team's possession

8/9/2006 5:27:21 PM

Tree, that is the whole point to the rule change. After an interception (the team is awarded a first down) the clock will start when the referee indicates that the ball is ready for play. It will no longer wait for the first snap. Same goes for kickoffs and punts.

Team A refers to the team putting the ball in play. Team B is the receiving team or the defense. Rule change 3-2-5-e refers specifically to Team B first downs. So when a play results in a first down for Team B (a punt, a kickoff, a turnover by downs, fumble, interception) they will restart the clock when the referees set the ball and deem it ready for play (much like when you get a first down on offense).

http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf

8/9/2006 5:49:39 PM

oh ok

well if thats the case then i do think its pretty dumb

but i guess we'll all just have to see how it plays out

8/9/2006 6:00:58 PM

^^ In a sense, it'll remove a lot of stupid television commercials that are used during changes of possession, right?

8/9/2006 6:07:55 PM

??? NFL doesn't even do that... do they?

8/9/2006 6:13:42 PM

Joe Paterno comment makes very little sense. As stated before, If you kick the ball out of bounds its a penalty. Game can't end on a penalty.

It would force the player not to take the touchback if he caught it in the endzone.

He is right about the fact that the clock could run out if the ball is kicked past/over the endzone, but I seriously doubt many kickers(if any) can do that at the end of a game with a one inch tee.

8/9/2006 7:32:45 PM

^Shouldn't a touchback still stop the clock until the ball is moved to the 20 and the "ready for play" signal is given?

8/9/2006 7:41:20 PM

"the game clock will start as soon as the ball is kicked in a kickoff situation"............... so no, unless I'm missing something.

8/9/2006 7:43:38 PM

Quote :

"If the committee is so concerned about the length of the games maybe they could try eliminating some of the 2-4 minute TV timeouts instead of chopping off vital seconds from key times in the game."

all that really needed to be said, this is a load of fucking crap, im so sick of the fucking NCAA as an organization

why the FUCK do they want to shorten the GAME, yet make the SEASONS longer

[Edited on August 9, 2006 at 7:46 PM. Reason : v]

8/9/2006 7:43:40 PM

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

8/9/2006 7:56:03 PM

Quote :

"Well, if someone kicks the ball out of bounds, then it is a penalty. Last time I checked, a game can not end on a penalty."

you can't punt the ball out of bounds just fine

8/9/2006 7:58:56 PM

the new rules are terrible, why broke something that isn't broke??

College football is hands down the best sporting event... nothing wrong with it except for the fact State can't win a National Championship... haha

[Edited on August 9, 2006 at 8:30 PM. Reason : b]

8/9/2006 8:29:28 PM

^^ they were obviously referring to kickoffs.

8/9/2006 8:37:54 PM

actually, ESPN looks like they got it wrong.

3-2-5-a1

Quote :

"On a scrimmage down, the game clock shall be started when the ball is snapped legally or on prior signal by the referee. The game clock shall not run during a try, during an extension of a period or during an extra period (A.R. 3-2-5-I-IV). a. When the clock has been stopped, the referee shall declare the ball ready for play (Rule 11-2-1-c) and the clock shall start on the snap unless it was stopped because of one of the following situations (A.R. 7-3-2-I and A.R. 7-3-7-II): 1. When Team A is awarded a first down (Exception: After a legal kick)."

followed with this interpretation:

Quote :

"Fourth and four. Team A’s running play, which ends inbounds, gains (a) six yards or (b) three yards. B1 is offside during the play. RULING: (a) Team A’s ball. First and 10. The clock starts on the ready-for- play signal."

[Edited on August 9, 2006 at 8:59 PM. Reason : interpretation]

8/9/2006 8:55:47 PM

What are you referring to when you say ESPN got it wrong? I don't see that last quote anywhere.

8/9/2006 9:31:30 PM

So wouldn't this force a trailing team to use a timeout late in the game if the opposing team just gained possesion of the ball?

8/9/2006 9:43:32 PM

The first thing yall are talking about with the kick is Joe Pa's problem. You score with 6 seconds on the clock to go up by 4. You can't let the other team have the ball but you have to kick off.

Previously: Kick it high and deep, ball goes out the back of the endzone for a touchback. Trailing team takes over at the 20 with 6 seconds to run a hail mary.

Now: Kick it high and deep, clock starts on the kick, ball is in the air for 7 seconds, clock only had 6 left, game is over with trailing team never getting to run a play.

You are all correct with the out of bounds penalty thing, that all would still apply.


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Doesn't college first downs keep the clock "moving"? In the NFL there is no stoppage.. But in college, a team passes for a first down, the clock stops until the ball is ready for play, then the team can snap the ball as soon as the the ref signals ready for play?

This rule must only effect turnovers, as mentioned above. Team A punts, and Team B catches, returns 2 yards and is tackled. the clock will stop until the refs respot the ball.

Previously: the clock would stay stopped, they take a TV time out, and the ball starts when Team B gets back from the TV time out and snaps the ball...




That's my interpretation of these changes.

8/9/2006 10:11:31 PM

wow, yeah i'm retarded. forgot that the clock starts on the ready to play. durrrrrrrrr

8/9/2006 10:14:39 PM