http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...rd-line-35

Well that sucks.

Our kicker still won't be able to get a touchback

Honestly, NIU's kickoff coverage has been, at best, below average over the last 5 seasons or so...I actually think this rule will benfit NIU. I would love to know what our opponents average field position was following a kickoff...I would not be shocked if it was greater than the 30 yard line.

Did Toledo petition for this rule change?

(02-24-2012 09:15 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  Did Toledo petition for this rule change?

Beat me to it Diehard!

(02-24-2012 09:15 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  Did Toledo petition for this rule change?

This is the side of the rule I am looking at. We obviously have a very dangerous return man and he's going to have fewer opportunities to bring the ball out now.

(02-24-2012 09:41 PM)armour248 Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 09:15 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  Did Toledo petition for this rule change?

This is the side of the rule I am looking at. We obviously have a very dangerous return man and he's going to have fewer opportunities to bring the ball out now.

He did return one of those two from the endzone so its not going to limit him that much.


They also changed the touchback from the 20 to the 25. So some teams will not want to give up that extra yardage.


If I were coach I would give the KO job to the guy that could get the ball to drop on the 7-5 yard line the most...unless they had a TLL type.

(02-24-2012 09:15 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  Did Toledo petition for this rule change?

Having had Page, an All-American return guy, and a number of new freshman that are real burners, I'd doubt it.

Why would they make a player sit out a play because his helmet came off? That could make a huge difference, and a team could gain by ripping the opposing players helmet off.

(02-25-2012 01:34 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Why would they make a player sit out a play because his helmet came off? That could make a huge difference, and a team could gain by ripping the opposing players helmet off.

Ripping the helmet off is a a personal foul penalty. Whatever advantage they would get by having 1 guy sit out 1 play would be offset by the 15 yards and an automatic first down.

(02-25-2012 05:53 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  

(02-25-2012 01:34 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Why would they make a player sit out a play because his helmet came off? That could make a huge difference, and a team could gain by ripping the opposing players helmet off.

Ripping the helmet off is a a personal foul penalty. Whatever advantage they would get by having 1 guy sit out 1 play would be offset by the 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Would that be a reviewable penalty?

(02-25-2012 05:53 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  

(02-25-2012 01:34 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Why would they make a player sit out a play because his helmet came off? That could make a huge difference, and a team could gain by ripping the opposing players helmet off.

Ripping the helmet off is a a personal foul penalty. Whatever advantage they would get by having 1 guy sit out 1 play would be offset by the 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Only if they see it happen. I recall a number of times last year when an NIU player's helmet came off, and there was no penalty. That's why it concerns me a little.

(02-25-2012 11:48 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 09:15 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  Did Toledo petition for this rule change?

Having had Page, an All-American return guy, and a number of new freshman that are real burners, I'd doubt it.

Your kick returners do get LOTS of chances, that's for sure.

(02-24-2012 06:42 PM)armour248 Wrote:  Well that sucks.

+1

Maybe the most exciting play in football and they're trying to eliminate it. The number of kickoff returns is gonna go way down just like it did in the NFL when they changed the rule.

I don't like any of the rule changes. I sure hope we still get a lot of chances to return kicks. And I really disagree with the players sitting out one play just because the helmet came off.

what drove the ncaa decision to change distance?

(02-27-2012 01:05 PM)niucyberdawg Wrote:  what drove the ncaa decision to change distance?

Just as with most rule changes, they needed to do something to justify their huge salaries rather than just sitting in plush chairs, smoking cigars, and counting all the money the NCAA is making.

(02-25-2012 01:34 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Why would they make a player sit out a play because his helmet came off? That could make a huge difference, and a team could gain by ripping the opposing players helmet off.

Minus a personal foul, your helmet should never come off. If it does, it's not fitted correctly.

(02-28-2012 09:03 AM)cawoo22 Wrote:  

(02-25-2012 01:34 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Why would they make a player sit out a play because his helmet came off? That could make a huge difference, and a team could gain by ripping the opposing players helmet off.

Minus a personal foul, your helmet should never come off. If it does, it's not fitted correctly.

Well, either the NIU helmets don't fit right, or there were some personal fouls that got missed. That's bad enough without having to sit out a play afterwards.