NCAA 4th timeout

[cperezprg]

I'm sure I have read it somewhere (rules book, bulletins or Rom gilbert's tests), but I can't find it.

2&10 A20, clocks running, B has no time outs remaining.

Team B ask a timeout, L stops the clocks by error.

a) start the clocks (reset play clock to 25?) and apologize for the error.
b) 5 yard penalty; 2&5 A25, game clock on ready signal.

[Atlanta Blue]

There is no penalty for requesting an additional time out in NCAA football.  They error here rests on the official.

The NFL is different.

[ljudge]

This came up in a NJ high school playoff game this year where the official made the error and granted the TO.  The R quickly recognized the error and had the clock promptly started.  Unfortunately, it was "just enough" time to allow A the extra couple of seconds to get its field goal unit in place to try the game-winning kick.  Of course it was good and they won the game.  What made it worse is it was the state playoff tournament.  

[El Macman]

Took me a little while to find it, but here it is. (Had plenty of time to look, since the Daytona 500 was rained out - damn.)

2009 Play Situations Bulletin 2, Play 1.

1. Third and five at the B-30. Team B has no timeouts remaining. The game clock is running as Team A breaks the huddle and settles into a formation with several receivers split wide.
Linebacker B57, confused by the offensive formation, requests a timeout from the Head
Linesman. The Head Linesman erroneously signals timeout and grants the request.

RULING: There is no foul by Team B. The play clock is reset to 25 seconds, and as soon as
possible the referee signals to start both the play clock and the game clock. (3-3-1-b)

-------------
Yeah, they may get some benefit by our error, but this bulletin makes the procedure clear. We just have to be better than to make that error.

[cperezprg]

Thanks!

[Headlinesman]

I think I would assess a technical on the HL in that case!

[Rulesman]

I think I would assess a technical on the HL in that case!

Not only does he buy the beer, he also picks up the tab for the post-game meal. 

[clearwall]

I think it was a mid-season Cowboys game that made me learn this rule. Romo was on the verge of calling a TO when they had used their three and i think the ball was snapped before he could request it. He had turned and put his hands up to call it, but the play had started. It got me curious as to what the rule would have been if he had actually tried to call a 4th TO. When I looked at the NFL rulebook, I learned that it was a 5-yard penalty for DOG. That led me to the NCAA rule where I learned you just don't acknowledge the request. Interesting

[Atlanta Blue]

When I looked at the NFL rulebook, I learned that it was a 5-yard penalty for DOG.

Not exactly true.  REQUESTING an excess time out is handled the same way.  If an excess timeout is needed for an injury in the last two minutes of a half, it is a five yard DOG penalty.  Requesting an excess time out at any time to ice a kicker is a 15 yard USC foul.


In the Romo case, the request would have simply been ignored.

[Chester]

The 5 yard DOG penalty for an injury timeout in the NFL only comes on the 5th timeout.  On the fourth one it is granted without penalty but may carry a 10 second runoff if the injured player is on offense and the clock was running and the defense wants it.