NCAA Proposes Rule Change for 12 Defenders at End of Half, Inspired by Oregon’s Tactic Against Ohio State
INDIANAPOLIS — Dan Lanning’s strategy has led to a likely permanent rule change in college football.
The NCAA Football Rules Committee, which previously issued an in-season clarification regarding end-of-game and end-of-half substitution fouls after Oregon intentionally deployed 12 defenders in its Oct. 12 victory over Ohio State, is now recommending that the change be formally adopted.
“Following the two-minute timeout in either half, if the defense has 12 or more players on the field and they participate in the play, a 5-yard penalty will be enforced,” the recommendation states. “The offense would also have the option to reset the game clock to the time at the start of the play. However, if the 12th player is actively leaving the field and does not impact the play, the defense would still be penalized 5 yards, but no game clock adjustment would be made.”
During the controversial play, Oregon sent cornerback Dontae Manning onto the field just before the snap, creating a numbers advantage with 10 seconds left. This allowed the Ducks to overload coverage on Ohio State’s three receivers to the right while Jabbar Muhammad and Kobe Savage covered OSU’s Jeremiah Smith on the left. Muhammad broke up Howard’s pass to Smith, unaware that Oregon had deliberately taken the penalty to influence the play.
“I thought I made a great play, then I saw the flag and thought, ‘golly,’” Muhammad said. “I guess they’re geniuses for that. I had no idea that was the plan…
“The next day in meetings, they explained it. I was taking notes on our next opponent, and when (Lanning) mentioned it, I was like, ‘Wow, that’s actually crazy.’ That’s when I realized what had happened. I wasn’t even paying attention—I was just jotting notes down—and then I heard it and thought, ‘That’s pretty cool.’”