Helmet-to-Helmet Hits to Result in Ejections Under Proposed NCAA Rule Change

Next college football season, an NCAA player who targets the head of a defenseless player could be ejected from the game. 

On Wednesday, the NCAA Football Rules Committee unanimously approved a proposal that would tack on an ejection to the 15-yard penalty that comes with such hits. 

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel must approve the plan next month. 

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said such targeted hits to the head were a “real problem in the sport.” He said 99 hits from last year would have resulted in ejections under the proposed rule change. 

According to the proposed rule, “if the penalty occurs in the first half, the player would be ejected for the remainder of the game. If the penalty occurs in the second half or overtime, the player is ejected for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game.”

Hits that result in ejections will be reviewable through video replay while the 15-yard penalties will not.