NCAA Illegal formation rule

[Hoosier Daddy]

I know in the NFL you have to have 7, and only 7 men on the line of scrimmage. Does NCAA football have the same rule?

Reason I ask, is the last play of the USC/ND game, USC had 8 men on the line of scrimmage with the guy at the top of the screen covering the TE. I know the refs didn't see it, and with everything going on, it would have taken a lot of balls to make the call, but if that's the rule, the refs certainly missed one, costing ND the game as the clock would have ran out.

[tech fan]

I know in the NFL you have to have 7, and only 7 men on the line of scrimmage. Does NCAA football have the same rule?

Reason I ask, is the last play of the USC/ND game, USC had 8 men on the line of scrimmage with the guy at the top of the screen covering the TE. I know the refs didn't see it, and with everything going on, it would have taken a lot of balls to make the call, but if that's the rule, the refs certainly missed one, costing ND the game as the clock would have ran out.

Hoosier i am a high school ref.Not a big deal but the rule is at least 7 men on the line.You can have 10 men on the line if you want but a min. of 7.Hope this helps.

[Hoosier Daddy]

thanks, Tech. But it's definitely different in the NFL, as I see calls on a weekly basis because the TE is "covered" by a wide receiver.

[frankb03]

I know in the NFL you have to have 7, and only 7 men on the line of scrimmage. Does NCAA football have the same rule?

Reason I ask, is the last play of the USC/ND game, USC had 8 men on the line of scrimmage with the guy at the top of the screen covering the TE. I know the refs didn't see it, and with everything going on, it would have taken a lot of balls to make the call, but if that's the rule, the refs certainly missed one, costing ND the game as the clock would have ran out.

I believe college has the same rule. However, I think the rule in both college and pro is you can't have less than 7 guys on the line. You can have more than 7.

[frankb03]

I noticed Tech answered. Thanks.

[tech fan]

thanks, Tech. But it's definitely different in the NFL, as I see calls on a weekly basis because the TE is "covered" by a wide receiver.

What that means is the last man on the line of scrimage,if its a wr on the line he makes the te ineligible to recieve a pass.In other words the only people that can catch a pass is the last guy on the line of scrimage[whether lined up on the line or out wide] and the man behind the line of scrimmage.If you send 2 wideouts to the right and 1 is on the line and 1 is off the te is covered up.If both wideouts are off the line and you still have 7 men on the line the te is ok.

[Hoosier Daddy]

What that means is the last man on the line of scrimage,if its a wr on the line he makes the te ineligible to recieve a pass.In other words the only people that can catch a pass is the last guy on the line of scrimage[whether lined up on the line or out wide] and the last person on the line.If you send 2 wideouts to the right and 1 is on the line and 1 is off the te is covered up.If both wideouts are off the line and you still have 7 men on the line the te is ok.

Thanks for the clarification, buddy. I was wondering if that might be the case. Appreciate it. BTW, since you're a high school ref, maybe you can answer this one for me:

a RB is trying to get into the end zone, and appears to be stopped (although forward progress not stopped yet), and one of his lineman comes from behind and pushes him (and the rest of the pile) until he crosses the plane. Legal?

[frankb03]

Thanks for the clarification, buddy. I was wondering if that might be the case. Appreciate it. BTW, since you're a high school ref, maybe you can answer this one for me:

a RB is trying to get into the end zone, and appears to be stopped (although forward progress not stopped yet), and one of his lineman comes from behind and pushes him (and the rest of the pile) until he crosses the plane. Legal?

Yes it is legal.

[frankb03]

The rule I'd like to see changed is the breaking the plane rule. I don't like when guys are on the 1 yard line or reach over the pile with the ball to break the plane.

Although, I don't know what could be the alternative to the rule.

[tech fan]

Yes it is legal.

Actualy it changed this year.15 yard penlty unsportsmanlike aiding the runner but its never called lol.I like to leave in 1 piece.

[frankb03]

Actualy it changed this year.15 yard penlty unsportsmanlike aiding the runner but its never called lol.I like to leave in 1 piece.

I didn't know that. It that in college and NFL?

[tech fan]

I didn't know that. It that in college and NFL?

Not sure but i am sure it will never be called even if it is a rule.Like i said being a ref sometimes its hard to leave a field after the game.You dont call anything stupid to make it any harder.

[Art Vandelay]

Helping or aiding the runner is definitely in the NFL rulebook - 15 yard penalty. I cannot however ever remember it being called although you see it happen almost every game.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I remember it being called in a Chicago Bears game one time, which is the only reason I even knew/thought the rule existed.

[frankb03]

Helping or aiding the runner is definitely in the NFL rulebook - 15 yard penalty. I cannot however ever remember it being called although you see it happen almost every game.

I agree. I see it often in the NFL. Sometimes the hardest hit a running back take is by their own teamates. LOL