[NU Sports] Football Rule changes for 2012

[Mike Nolan]

The NCAA will join the NFL in in 2012 in moving kickoffs from the 30 to 
the 35 yard line.

However, the NCAA will also move touchbacks to the 25 instead of the 20.
ESPN says is suppposed to  encourage more touchbacks.  That may be true for
the receiving team, but if that affects field goals as well as kickoffs, 
it isn't clear how that will affect kicking team decision making.

A rule I have favored for a while has also been passed.  A player whose
helmet comes off during a play must leave the game for one play.

I wonder if that will apply to plays where the helmet is ripped off
by a defender?  

There are also new rules on blocking below the waist and on punt
returns.  Also, players cannot leap over blockers when trying
to block punts.

Spring and fall drills will have to deal with these rule changes a
lot, I suspect.  (For officials, too.)

See http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7611324/ncaa-moves-kickoffs-30-yard-line-35
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Mike Nolan