NCAA Rule Change Creates a Difference

When the NCAA Football Rules Committee approved a change to rule 3-2-3a for the 2023 season, it created an interesting and significant difference in the codes. The rule involves whether or not acceptance of the penalty for a live-ball foul during the last timed down of a period results in the period being extended.

In the MechaniGram, team A scores a touchdown during the last timed down of the first quarter. But team A is flagged for holding during the down. Team B will have to accept the penalty to negate the score.

In NFHS, the 10-yard penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul and the quarter is extended for an untimed down (3-3-3a).

But if the game is played under NCAA rules, the 10-yard penalty is marked off from the spot of the foul, then play resumes at the other end of the field to start the second period. If the foul occurred during the last play of the second or fourth period, however, there would be an untimed down and period extension.

Under both codes, if there had been no foul on the scoring play, the period would be extended for the try. *