Rule changes for 2023

[PonyPride]

Changes are part of every offseason. Some changes (compiled from a number of sources, including the NCAA and Football Writers Association) to look for this season include:

1. No more consecutive timeouts by a single team. Most visibly, this gives teams just one chance to ice a kicker.

2. No more quarter extensions. In the past, a defensive penalty on the last play of the first or third quarter meant an untimed down would be run. Now, the down will be clocked in the second/fourth quarter.

3. Maybe the most obvious change will be a running clock after an offense gets a first down — in the past, the clock stopped while officials set the ball and moved the chains, except in he final two minutes of either half.

4. Yes, there are rules relating to drones, which are not allowed over the field or the team area when squad members are present within the playing enclosure. Outside the limit lines, game management (or conference policy) will govern drone activity. This governance includes all FAA, state, and local laws including campus policy where appropriate.

5. The field will be available to squad members for halftime warmup no later than three minutes prior to the second half kickoff. When any player enters the field during the halftime intermission, a staff member from that team must be present on the field. If kickers or other players come on to the field before the field is available, their activities must be confined to the team (bench) area. All team personnel will be respectful of scheduled halftime activities, and all kicks must be into the practice kicking nets until the field is available.

6. The optional use of instant replay in games that do not have an instant replay booth official is now permissible and must be in full compliance with Rule 12 (the replay rule) with the following exceptions:
• The Referee will be the sole decision maker on any review and may include one additional crew member to consult on the review.
• The equipment used in the review must be located outside the limit lines on the sideline or end zone and must be completely outside the team area.
• The referee and additional crew member must be provided a separate, secure location away from fans and sideline personnel, with a tent or similar type shelter structure.
• The Referee will stop the game to review all Targeting Fouls that are called on the field. The only other method to stop a game for a replay review is through a head coach challenge. When the head coach requests a timeout for replay review, the replay challenge flag must be dropped onto the field of play.
• Other than for a Targeting review, the crew on the field may not initiate an instant replay review.
• The head coach may initiate a Targeting review if the team has a timeout available and a coach’s challenge remaining.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I love rule 1! The ridiculous multiple attempts to ice the kicker is one of the most annoying developments in sports.

I also am really excited about rule 5!! I hate when the kickers come out really early for the second half and start taking over the field.

The running clock will be interesting. I think it will be nice to help speed up games but we will have to see how it affects teams.