Clock Start on Holding Penalty?

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Doesn't it really boil down to a judgment whether the foul (holding) was an actual, "attempt to conserve or consume time illegally", or just someone violating the blocking rules apart from any consideration about affecting timing.

Interestingly, during this weekend's Nebraska defeat of Michigan State, holding foul on third down was declined with a minute and change in the fourth quarter. On the succeeding 4th down, the play clock started on the wind at 25 instead of 40, giving Nebraska a few more seconds on their next possession. Had the foul been accepted, the extra down would have allowed Michigan State to run out the clock, or at least to within a few seconds of zero.