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NCAA Cracks Down on Fake Injuries With New Rule Changes for 2025 Seasson

Eric D

The NCAA is changing college football rules starting this fall to stop players from faking injuries and to improve the game’s fairness. Here’s is further breakdown of the incoming changes.

Injury Timeout Rule

If medical staff checks a player after the next play is set, the player’s team will lose a timeout. If no timeouts are left, they get a 5-yard penalty. The aim here is to stop players from faking injuries to slow down opponents or save timeouts.

Also Read: “Come On Bro, Be Better Than That” – Stephen A. Smith Has a Powerful Message for Top NFL Draft Prospect

Why Are the Changes Being Implemented?

Faking injuries has been a problem, and has hurt the game’s integrity. According to multiple sources the NCAA reviewed footages of the games which showed players pretending to be injured to gain an unfair advantage. This new rule that will be implemented in the next season, aims to discourage this by making it costly for the team.

Ongoing Reviews

Official Steve Shaw will still review game footage if asked, to check if teams and players are misusing injury timeouts. He will look for unfair advantages, and he added, “Sometimes players may do it on their own because if feels accepted, and that’s what we want to stop. I’m not sure there is a perfect solution, but I think this is a good first step.”

Overtime Timeout Change

In the third overtime and beyond, each team gets only one timeout total, instead of one per overtime. This rule change will keep games moving faster when teams alternate two-point conversion attempts.

Other Tweaks

  • Referees will only say “upheld” or “overturn” for replay decisions and have dropped “confirmed” or “stands.”
  • Punt formation also has new rules in place as no offensive player can block the kicker’s path, and teams must have five lineman numbered 50-79 unless in a proper punt setup.
  • On kickoffs, if the return team signals a “T” with their arms, they can’t return the kick, and the play is stopped.
  • Defenses cannot mimic offensive snap signals or cadences to trick opponents. Certain words like “move” and “stem” are reserved for defenses only.
  • After the two-minute timeout, if the defense has 12 players on the field and they all play, it’s a 5 yard penalty and the offense can reset the clock. If the extra player is leaving and doesn’t affect the play, it will just be a five yard penalty.
  • FCS teams can now use coach-to-play communication tech just like in FBS.

Also Read: ‘Draft Me Or You’ll Regret It’ – QB Prospect Will Howard Sends Loud Message to All Teams in the 2025 NFL Draft

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