Does The Clock Stop In College Football? Rule Changes 2023

The clock does not stop in college football when a team gains a first down. It will only stop at the last two minutes of either half.

NCAA football rule changes 2023 involve the game clock, time-outs, and time extension. Six significant changes are heading toward the 2023 college football campaign.

They are dedicated to minimizing the overall game time and maintaining the game’s pace. The primary agenda is to reduce the number of plays per game, reducing the playtime.

Player safety is cited as another significant concern for the rule alteration.

On average, a college football contest record 180 total plays and lasts three hours and thirty-two minutes. It was three hours and sixteen minutes in 2012. With the implementation of the new rules, each match is projected to cut 7 to 10 plays.

NCAA explained, “The Football Rules Committee anticipates the adjustments will modestly reduce the number of plays in the game, something it will study closely during the 2023 season.”

New Football Rules 2023/24

College football new rules prohibit a team from using two consecutive timeouts. It will help control the time manipulation and maintain the game’s flow.

The Consecutive Charged Team Timeouts fall under Rule 3-3-4-a.

There is an exception for injury and equipment issues. It will be permitted as an official timeout.

No Clock Stoppage On The First Downs

Per the previous rule, the game clock would stop when a team gains the first down. It was restarted when the first down was in motion.

A massive overhaul to Rule 3-3-2-e-1 will no longer see the game clock stop when a team gains the first down. The time will keep on ticking.

There is an exception. The game clock will stop in the last two minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters if a first down is secured.

Division I and II will implement it in 2023, while Division III will wait till 2024 to opt for the new rule.

No Quarter Extension

There won’t be a quarter extension when an un-time down or a penalty is placed in the 1st and 3rd quarters. But, it does not affect the 2nd and 4th quarters.

The downs or penalties enforced in the 1st and 3rd quarters will be resumed in successive quarters. The contest will continue from the same fate in the consecutive phase.

Drone Restriction

According to Rule 1-4-11-d, drones are now restricted over the field areas when the player is present.

It is applicable for the time when players are on the field or the sideline. It is subjected to maintain fairness and restrict any cheating motives in the game.

Halftime Warmups

Rule 3-2-1-c and 11-1-3 have been slightly altered. Teams can warm up during the halftime break.

They must wait for the activities to conclude before going to the field. Until then, they can warm up in the team area.

They are allocated three minutes before the second-half kickoff. The field will be separated by a L-shaped configuration in the 30-yard line. 

Instant Relay

The lead referee will use the replay booth where the instant replay booth officials are unavailable.

With one additional official, the lead referee can perform the instant replay and check the challenges inside the kiosks.

They can investigate the Targeting Fouls and head coach challenge.

NCAA Football Rules Committee

NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed the six new rules, which NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved on 20th April.

The committee researches new ways to play the game more safely. They are responsible for proposing various changes to the existing rules.

There are thirteen members on the committee.

  • Woody McCorvey – Clemson University (Associated AD/Chief of Staff/Football)
  • Thomas Hammock – North Illinois University (HC)
  • Kirby Smart – University of Georgia (HC)
  • Scott Draper – Vice President of Big 12 Conference
  • Aaron Best – Eastern Washington University (HC)
  • Richard Wanninger – Patriots League (Senior Associate Commissioner)
  • Jason Carmichael – University of West Georgia (AD, Director of Athletics)
  • Scott Maxfield – Henderson State University (HC)
  • John Wristen – Colorado State University, Pueblo (HC)
  • Jason Lenner – Westminster College, Pennsylvania (AD)
  • Stan Hodgin – Shenandoah University (Assistant Football coach – Offensive Coordinator)
  • Jonathan Drach – Wilkes University (HC)

When Does Clock Stop In College Football?

NCAA football clock rules allow the game clock to stop when the ball is out of the field, and the referee has to respot the ball.

It is also stopped in case of injury and penalty.

First Down

There will be no stoppage when the first down is gained. Previously from 1968 to 2022, the time was stopped when the first down was gained and restarted upon repositioning of the football.

A running clock in college football will be like the NFL starting the 2023 season. The clock keeps running unless other forms of interruptions occur.

Out of bounds

Running clock in college football stops when the ball goes out of bounds. It is maintained in all quarters.

Once the official places the ball, the time is restarted.

If the remaining time is less than two minutes in the 2nd and 4th quarters, the time is restarted only after the snap.

Timeouts and breaks

When a team or an official calls a timeout, the clock stops.

If the coach has called a timeout, the time will restart when the allocated time finishes. Each team gets three per half, and each is one and a half minutes long.

A timeout must be called when the ball is dead. A Quarterback, Linebacker, or the head coach can call the timeout.

In each quarter, a media time worth three minutes is taken.

The official timeout occurs when a penalty is imposed on a play or an injury occurs.

College Football Overtime Rules

College Football Overtime Rules were first experimented on December 14, 1995. The guinea pig was the Las Vegas Bowl between Toledo Rockets and Nevada Wolf Pack.

In the only overtime, Toledo outscored Nevada by 6-3 to win the game 40-31. It helped the committee implement the NCAA football overtime rule on 16th February 1996.

The rule went through iterations in 2019 and 2021.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel introduced the alternation two-point conversion rule in 2019. According to the rule, each team must start the two-point conversion after the fifth OT.

They aimed to lower the game time. In 2021, the alternation two-point conversion period was shifted from fifth to third.

Other OT rules are listed below:

  • The OT starts with a coin toss. The toss-winning team captain must choose to start as offense or defense or pick the side of the field.
  • Each team commences the offense drive from the designated 25-yard line in the first OT.
  • One timeout per OT is allocated for each team. The remaining timeout from the regulation period cannot be used in OT.
  • If the first OT ends in a tie, each team must try for a two-point conversion in the 2nd OT.
  • From the 3rd OT, the alternation two-point conversion starts instead of a down from the opponent’s 25-yard line.
  • The game clock is disbanded, and the play clock takes over in OT.
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