College football will have a few new rules this season.
The NCAA approved several rule changes for the upcoming football season on Thursday, highlighted by the new "Kenny Pickett rule" banning fake quarterback slides, a new appeals process for the targeting penalty, and a reporting process for fake injuries.
In response to the fake slide performed by Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett in the ACC championship game, the NCAA has approved a rule change banning such a play from happening in the future. From now on, if a ball carrier simulates a feet-first slide, the game's officials will declare the runner down at that spot.
The NCAA also approved an appeals process to targeting penalties called in the second half. Teams will now be able to appeal the carry-over penalty of a second-half targeting call following the game. While a successful appeal would obviously not impact the immediate ejection or the yardage of the penalty, it would nullify the additional first-half suspension in the following game.
Additionally, the NCAA approved a reporting process for teams believed to be faking injuries to slow down a game or receive an additional timeout, though penalties levied would be up to the conference office or school involved. The NCAA did not approve any in-game options to address fake injuries.
The NCAA will also limit blocking below the waist to linemen and stationary backs inside the tackle box. All other blocking below the waist will be prohibited.
Finally, the NCAA changed the enforcement of the defensive holding penalty. The penalty will remain a 10-yard penalty but will now always carry an automatic first down. Previously, defensive holding was only an automatic first down on plays where the quarterback attempted a pass.
