For those that work NCAA rules as well as other sets of rules, please understand that when there is a legal kick made during a down (free kick or scrimmage kick), if the next down will start by snap, the game clock will start on the snap. Period. Regardless of which team will put the ball in play, or what else happened during the down, including a legal forward pass (before or after the legal kick), foul(s), etc. One of the few absolutes in NCAA football.