The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday formally approved a change to the targeting penalty that would no longer see players have to sit out the first half of the next game, with caveats.
First caveat: The change applies only to first-time offenders. A first-time offender will not have to miss any of the following game, but second-time offenders will have to miss the first half of the following game, and third-time offenders will have to sit the entire following game.
Both are significant changes. Previously, players who committed targeting fouls in the first half were free to play in the following game, but now second-time offenders could essentially serve a game-and-a-half suspension if that second foul occurs early enough in a contest. Third-time offenders could in effect miss two full games.
The NCAA noted in its release that not a single player committed three targeting fouls in the 2025 season.
Second caveat: Right now, the rule is in effect for the 2026 season only. The Oversight Committee approved the change on a one-year trial basis.
Teams, through their conferences, will still have the opportunity to appeal second and third targeting fouls to the NCAA's national coordinator of officials.
Other changes:
-- Fair catch kicks have been approved, giving teams the opportunity to attempt a field goal or drop kick from the spot a returner fair-caught the ball. The defense is required to be 10 yards from the spot of the kick.
-- Offensive pass interference was reduced from 15 yards to 10.
-- Eligible receivers on punts have been clarified. Quoting directly from the NCAA: "On punts where jersey number exceptions (players who do not wear numbers 50-79) are used, the snapper and two adjacent linemen on either side who are lined up in (or touching) the tackle box are ineligible receivers by position and become exceptions to the numbering rule when the snapper takes his position. This clarifies which players are eligible receivers in the formation."
-- The Oversight Committee directed the Rules Subcommittee to focus unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on instances where a player taunts an opponent, conducts an action that interferes with game administration, or celebrates in a manner that demeans the game or the opponent.
-- A proposal requiring players to wear leg coverings that extended from the top of their shoes to the bottom of their pants was not passed.