Oklahoma football: New 2023 rule changes will speed pace of play

As we count down the final days before the start of the 2023 college and Oklahoma football season there are several rule changes that will take effect this season.

The most significant of the changes at the college level, according to the NCAA Football Rules Committee, involve adjustments to the timing and clock rules designed to speed the pace of play and ensure consistency in officiating mechanics managing the game clock.

A pair of rules that will carry over from the 2022 season and remain in effect are the targeting rule. The Rules Committee in partnership with the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel believe that the existing targeting rule continue to drive positive player behavior regarding the use of the helmet. It was also agreed that the rule involving blocking below the waist produced data showing fewer player injuries.

Here is a short primer on the new rules for 2023:

Stopping and starting the clock on first downs (Rule 3-3-2-e-1)

When the team on offense gains a first down, the game clock will no longer be stopped after a first down except with less than two minutes remaining in the second and fourth quarters

Consecutive charged team timeouts (Rule 3-3-4-a)

Consecutive charged team timeouts will no longer be allowed by the same team in any individual dead-ball period. Each team is entitled to three timeouts in each half.

Extension of periods (Rule 3-2-3-a)

A period shall be extended for an untimed down in the second or fourth quarter only if a penalty is accepted for a live-ball foul, if there are offsetting penalties, or an inadvertent whistle.

Drone policy (Rule 1-4-11-d)

Drones are not allowed over the field or the team area when squad members are present within the playing enclosure.

Halftime intermission rule (Rule 3-2-1-c & 11-1-3)

The field will be available to team members or halftime warmup no later than three minutes prior to the second-half kickoff. When any team member enters the playing enclosure during the halftime intermission, a staff member from that team must be present on the field. If kickers or other team members come onto the playing enclosure before the field is available, their activities must be confined to the team area.

When the field is available to the players, the field will be divided into an “L-shaped” configuration with the 30-yard lines forming the “L” in order to keep the teams separated.

Instant replay without an instant replay booth official (Rule 12-2-1-c)

The optional use of instant replay in games that do not have an instant replay booth official is now permissable and must be in full compliance with Rule 12.

• 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 the fans and sideline personnel, with a tent or similar type shelter structure.
• The referee will stop the game to review all targeting penalties called on the field. The only other means to stop the game for a replay review is through a head coach challenge.