Rules review video: roughing vs. running into the kicker, brandishing a weapon, and a field goal off the light post

2024 Media video #7

National coordinator of football officials Steve Shaw posted his weekly video breaking down rules and interpretations from week 6 of the 2024 college football season.

Prior to going through plays, Shaw talked about overtime statistics. As a reminder, the OT rules were updated this year with player safety in mind: after a TD in 2OT, a team must go for 2. In 3OT and on, each team’s possession series is a one-play 2-point attempt.

This season in FBS, 16 games have gone undecided past regulation. 10 of those 16 were decided after one overtime period, while the other 6 were decided in the second overtime period. No game has gone to 3OT or later yet this season.

• Roughing the kicker. The NCAA wants officials to flag a defender for a personal foul, 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down, when the defender makes forcible contact with the kickers plant (non-kicking) leg. If the defender brushes the kicker’s kicking leg, the referee can call a five-yard running into the kicker foul. But if any contact is forcible, roughing the kicker is on the table.
• Helmet off, player continues to participate. Shaw highlighted a kickoff where a player continued to participate in the play after his helmet came off. This is a personal foul on the helmetless player.
• Intentional grounding. Shaw clarified intentional grounding as it relates to the passer being outside the tackle box, then going back into the tackle box.
• Pass interference on a short pass. Shaw highlights an excellent crew call where pass interference is waived off on a pass that didn’t cross the line of scrimmage. He also gave kudos to the line judge on marking a tough pylon play out of bounds.
• “Brandishing a weapon” unsportsmanlike conduct. The NCAA wants simulated weapon brandishing out of the game. Shaw explains.
• Field goal kick comes back onto the field of play? When is a field goal kick declared dead? Thanks to Northwestern’s temporary stadium on Lake Michigan, a light pole behind the goalpost sent the kick back through the goal. Shaw shows us the play that is a once-in-a-career call.