NCAA Panel Recommends Removing Game-Shortening Measures

NCAA Panel Recommends Eliminating Clock Rules Implemented Last Season

The NCAA Football Rules Committee recommended “eliminating the controversial clock rules of 2006 and implementing a new set of time-saving measures” for the ’07 season, according to Tony Barnhart of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. All of the proposals still need to be approved by the NCAA’s playing rules oversight panel. Last season’s clock rules, which drew criticism from coaches and fans, shortened games by an average of 14 minutes from ’05, but also “eliminated about 13 plays and reduced scoring by about five points a game.” One rule called for the clock to start as soon as the ball was marked after a change of possession, but now the clock would not start “until after the first snap of a possession.” The clock would also not start until the ball is touched on kickoffs, which would be moved back five yards to the 30-yard line. Other rule changes would include setting the play clock at 15 seconds instead of the normal 25 after a TV timeout, cutting team-called timeouts from 60 to 30 seconds, capping instant replay reviews at two minutes and starting the play clock on kickoffs when the kicker is handed the ball. Beginning in ’08, the game would go to a 40-second play clock that starts at the end of every play (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/15).