2015 college football rule changes you should know
Monday, August 31, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The tailgate parties haven't started yet, but a quick walk around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and you can sense the campus is alive more than usual.
Yep, football season is close.
The Gators host New Mexico State on Saturday night (7:30, SEC Network) in the 2015 season opener and the first game for new Gators head coach Jim McElwain.
To help you get ready and perhaps save you some confusion, here are a few rule changes in place for this season:
EIGHT OFFICIALS INSTEAD OF SEVEN
The new official, the center judge (the guy with the letter “C” on his uniform), will be positioned in the offensive backfield opposite the referee. The SEC experimented with one eight-man officiating crew a season ago.
NO MORE OVERBUILT FACEMASKS
You have probably seen a defensive or offensive lineman over the years with a facemask that looks a lot different than most other players, one characterized by greater weight and smaller space between the bars. Those are not allowed any longer. Officials determined there was a safety issue because opponents can easily get their fingers caught in the tight space.
PLAYER HAS TO SIT A PLAY FOR ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT
In the past if officials noticed a player was using illegal equipment, his team was charged with a timeout. The new rule states the player must sit out at least one play and cannot return until the equipment is made legal.
SIDELINE WARNING RETURNS
Instead of a 5-yard penalty, officials will return to giving teams an initial sideline warning when players/staff leave the designated bench area. Penalty yardage will be assessed on a second infraction.
NO PUSHING, PULLING OPPONENT OFF PILE
If there is pile of players, usually when a fumble occurs, officials will hand out 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties for players who pull or push opposing players off the pile.
INSTANT REPLAY TWEAK
Officials can now use instant-replay reviews to determine if a kicking-team player blocked a player on the receiving team before the ball travels 10 yards on onside kicks.
GET WARM
Teams are now guaranteed they may remain on the field for pregame warm-ups until at least 22 minutes prior to the opening kickoff. Officials were concerned teams were being forced into the locker room early for other pregame functions on the field.
RESETTING OF GAME CLOCK
If the play clock runs down to 25 seconds before the football is ready for play, officials will reset the clock to 40 seconds. Previously, the play clock was not reset until 20 seconds remained.
HELMET CLOCK RULE
If a defensive player's helmet comes off in the final minute of a half, 10 seconds will be run off the game clock and the play clock will be reset to 40 seconds. Previously, the play clock was reset to 25 seconds. Officials report there were minimal situations in the final minute of a half where the offense had to take an extra snap to run out the clock due to a defensive player losing his helmet.
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SPINE INJURY RECOMMENDATIONS
This is not a rule change, but rather a modification of how spine-injured players should be cared for on the field immediately after a suspected injury.
Based on an executive summary of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, “it is essential and now recommended that, when appropriate, in an emergency situation with equipment intensive sports (e.g., helmets and shoulder pads in football, hockey and lacrosse), the protective equipment be removed prior to transport to the hospital.”
The alteration is based on multiple factors, including advances in equipment technology, expedited access to the athlete-patient for enhanced provider care, and chest access is prioritized.
