Division III football likely to delay new clock rules for 1st downs

By ERIC OLSON The Associated Press

FILE - Huntingdon and Maryville College mixed it up at the line of scrimmage in the Hawks' 42-28 win over Maryville College, in an NCAA college Division III football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Maryville Tenn. The NCAA Football Rules Committee is considering a proposal to delay Division III's implementation of the new game clock rule for first downs for at least a year. The biggest rule change approved last month for 2023 will have the game clock continue to run when a first down is gained except in the last two minutes of either half. Previously, the clock stopped when a first down was gained and restarted on the referee's signal.(Scott Keller/The Daily Times via AP, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Scott Keller]

The NCAA Football Rules Committee is considering a proposal to delay the Division III implementation of the new game clock rule for first downs for a year. The biggest rule change for 2023 will have the game clock continue to run when a first down is gained except in the last two minutes of either half. Previously the clock stopped when a first down was gained and restarted on the referee’s signal. It was put on hold in Division III after the division’s management council request to have the Football Rules Committee give it further review.