New NCAA Rules Change After Oregon’s Tactic Against Ohio State
In college football, the city of Oregon is buzzing with excitement following a dramatic victory over Ohio State. However, a controversial tactic used by the Ducks has prompted the NCAA to implement new rules regarding penalties during games. On Monday, Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, revealed that his team had purposefully induced a 12-men penalty late in the game, which helped them manage the clock. The Ducks narrowly defeated the Buckeyes 32-31.
During the final moments of the match, Lanning admitted that the team had practiced this scenario extensively. Just before the snap, defensive back Dontae Manning entered the field, giving Oregon an extra player on defense. Although they were penalized for having too many players, the play resulted in a critical four seconds being taken off the game clock, ultimately aiding in their victory.
Following this incident, the NCAA announced a new ruling on Wednesday that aims to close the loophole the Ducks exploited. The updated rule states that if a team has 12 players on the field during the last two minutes of either half, the offense can still incur the 5-yard penalty, but the game clock will now reset to the time displayed at the snap if there was active participation by the extra player. However, if one of the 12 players is merely attempting to leave the field and does not impact the play, the clock will not be reset.
NCAA football rules committee member Steve Shaw commented on the matter, stating that the purpose of this change is to ensure there are “no benefits” from committing a penalty. He emphasized that penalties should not create advantages during such crucial moments in the game.
As fans look forward to the continuation of the college football season, coaches and players alike will have to adapt to these newly established regulations.
