NCAA Closes Loophole Used by Oregon

Oregon's recent victory over Ohio State has sparked controversy due to the Ducks' intentional use of 12 players on the field during a critical moment, which allowed them to run down the game clock. Coach Dan Lanning admitted the strategy was pre-planned, designed to draw a penalty while minimizing Ohio State's chances of scoring. In response to this incident, the NCAA quickly issued a new interpretation of the rules, stating that if a defense is penalized for having 12 players, the game clock will be reset to the time displayed at the snap. This change, deemed necessary to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage through penalties, highlights a perceived double standard in the discourse surrounding rule exploitation, as noted by Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin pointed out that while Oregon is praised for its cleverness, his program faces scrutiny for less favorable tactics, such as faking injuries. This debate underscores the ongoing tension in college football regarding the interpretation and enforcement of rules.