Oversight panel tables controversial downfield rule

It appears that the rallying has paid off.

Friday afternoon, the NCAA announced that its Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposed rule that would have adjusted the ineligible receiver downfield rule from 3 yards to 1 yard on Thursday. The NCAA Football Rules Committee had passed the new rule last month.

Coaches such as Arizona State’s Todd Graham, Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze, Auburn’s Gus Malzahn and Baylor’s Art Briles railed against the proposed rule change. Their arguments essentially boiled down to enforcing the current rule instead of adopting a new one.

“You know, that’s been a rule that’s been in place for a while, and you see a lot of offenses utilizing that,” Malzahn said earlier this week. “My whole deal is just make it a point of emphasis to start calling it if guys are downfield.”

The panel opted against adopting the new rule despite the fact that a majority of coaches polled were in favor of its implementation.

Panel members, who met on a teleconference Thursday, felt more discussion about the rule should take place within the college football community before a final decision is made. Additionally, the panel was concerned about the lack of participation in the rules process by head coaches, both in the survey process and comment period. Specifically, while 57 percent of Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches supported this proposed change in the initial survey, only 65 FBS head coaches participated in the survey. Also, while 54 percent of FBS head coaches were supportive of the rule change in the comment period, only 46 FBS head coaches offered comments.

The release added that while “the current rule of 3 yards will stay in effect for the 2015 season,” it will become “a point of emphasis for coaches and officials during the 2015 season.” The proposed change from three to one yard will be discussed again during the next rules cycle.

There were, though, nine rule changes adopted by the panel.

• An eight-person officiating system will be allowed if a conference or school chooses. A center judge was used experimentally in several conferences during the past two seasons. The benefits of having the extra official include getting the ball spotted more efficiently and detecting holding and hands-to-the-face penalties.
• A 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles.
• If a helmet comes off a defensive player in the final minute of a half, 10 seconds will be run off the game clock, and the play clock will be set at 40 seconds. Previously, the play clock was set to 25 seconds.
• Officials will return to giving teams an initial sideline warning when their personnel move out of the designated team bench area.
• Officials will treat illegal equipment issues – such as jerseys tucked under the shoulder pads or exposed back pads – by making the player leave the field for at least one play. The equipment must be corrected for the player to return to the game. The player may remain in the game if his team takes a timeout to correct the equipment issue. This rule will widely be viewed as the “Ezekiel Elliott rule.”
• Instant replay reviews will be allowed to see if a kicking team player blocked the receiving team before the ball traveled 10 yards on onside-kick plays.
• Teams must be provided at least 22 minutes prior to kickoff for pregame warm-ups. Teams may mutually agree to shorten this time period.
• If the play clock runs to 25 seconds before the ball is ready for play, officials will reset the clock to 40 seconds. Previously, the play clock was reset when it reached 20 seconds.
• Based on research findings of the National Football League, non-standard/overbuilt facemasks will be prohibited.