Oh, the requirement is there. But, there is also a requirement for knee coverings and pads, hip pads and tail bone protectors. To put it politely, when those that write and legislate the rules offer no support to those that are assigned to enforce those rules, those rules tend to get de-prioritized. To put it not so politely, coaches, ADs, commissioners, executive committees, and NCAA administrators don’t give a s___, and do nothing but criticize officials as being too officious when officials attempt to enforce those rules. Officials are human, and don’t like criticism any more than other humans. When that happens over rules that don’t directly affect play of the game, and aren’t supported by those who put those rules in place, then, like most folks, officials tend to avoid criticism by overlooking those rules.
The dangling mouthpiece appears to something of a fashion statement. Not sure what kind of fashion that is. But, that seems to be the case, because they could just as easily simply not have a mouthpiece.
As Walter Cronkite would say, “And that’s the way it is, September 7, 2025.”
