[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by GPC2

I checked this after the game in my NCAA rule book (unfortunately I don't have it with me right now, so I can't provide rule number reference), but it clearly states that if the officials are certain that there are twelve B players on the field they should kill the ball, and it will be a five yard penalty (for Illegal Substitution, I believe). If they are not sure, they let the play go on and recount after the play is over and penalize 15 yards for Illegal Participation.

For some reason, the play was never actually stopped for Auburn's time out, and no flags were thrown either pre-snap, or dead ball after the play was over. The covering officials simply missed the fact that Auburn had 12 men on defense.

I am not aware of any rule that clearly states any such thing. It's certainly not a foul the instant 12 men are out there. Clinics have taught us (esp at lower levels) to kill it and IS if it's apparent the defense isn't going to fix the problem - that's preferable to the IP. But you surely give them time to get the 12th guy off the field or call time out.