NCAA approves rule automatically ejecting players for targeting

• The NCAA approved a rule instituting an automatic ejection for targeting a defenseless player
• That rule was one of several instituted by the NCAA%27s Playing Rules Oversight Panel
• The panel denied a rule forcing a jersey or pant color to contrast with the playing field

The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a rule automatically ejecting players who target and contact defenseless players above the shoulders, following through on a recommendation made in February by the NCAA Football Rules Committee.

The automatic ejection will be added to the 15-year penalty already in place in cases of targeting. The rule will mirror the existing penalty for fighting: If a player is penalized in the first half he will miss the remainder of the game; if he is penalized in the second half he will miss the remainder of the game and the first half of his team's next contest.

While the initial call is at a referee's discretion, an official may review the ejection portion of the penalty via video replay. As with any reviewable play – like a disputed touchdown or completion – the replay official must have conclusive visual evidence to overturn the original ruling.

After the game, conference officials may review the hit and add additional penalties if warranted. In addition, a postgame review might also reduce the suspension.

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved another eight rule changes to go into effect on the FBS level in 2013. One is an alteration to the rule regarding blocks below the waist. A change instituted last season caused even greater confusion, leading the NCAA to streamline the rule to allow all blocks below the waist that occur in front of a stationary defender during typical line play.

Other rule changes approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel include:

-Adding a 10-second runoff with less than a minute left in the first and second half when the clock stops due to injury.

-Prohibiting teams from spiking the football when there are less than three seconds remaining on the clock. Instead, the offense can run only one more play when there are one or two seconds left.

-Allowing replay officials to adjust the clock at the end of each quarter. In the past, the NCAA only allowed for such clock changes at the end of each half.

-Requiring that any number changes that occur during a game to be reported directly to the referee, who will make an announcement.

-Prohibiting two players on the same team who play the same position from wearing the same uniform number.

-Clarifying uniform font and color rules to the letter. Says the rule: "Jerseys must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back, respectively, and be of one solid color that itself is clearly in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any border around the number."

-Allowing officiating crews to use electronic communication during games, following the lead of the SEC. This rule is not required but will be allowed.

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel did deny the Rules Committee's proposal requiring a team's jersey or pant color to be different than the field of play. Called by many the "Boise State rule" due to the Broncos' penchant for wearing all-blue uniforms on its all-blue field, the denial will allow Boise State and several others teams to continue with the same uniform combinations they've used over the past several seasons.