Advertisement

NCAA rules committee OKs increased replay official authority

The thought of replay officials having more influence on college football games is closer to reality.

The NCAA rules committee approved a proposal that would allow replay officials to have the ability to stop the game to assess a targeting foul that was missed on the field. If the replay official deems the play to have occurred without the officials seeing it, the official viewing the replay can buzz down to the field to notify the referee.

The targeting foul, a penalty since 2013, has previously only been able to be assessed by officials on the field. If the Playing Rules Oversight Panel passes the proposal in March, it'll be official in 2016.

The rules committee also said it would allow electronic devices in the press box and locker rooms during games for coaching purposes. Electronic devices are still prohibted on the sideline however. The NFL has a deal with Microsoft that grants teams the use of tablets on the sidelines.

Other rules committee notes:

• The committee wants officials to enforce the 3-yard limit for linemen going downfield before a pass more strictly.

• "Deliberate" tripping should be a penalty and defenseless players now include a runner who is sliding feet first. Low blocks by a player who leaves the tackle box and blocks below the waist toward the initial position of the ball should also be prohibited.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!