Under NCAA rules, if a Punter is roughed on the play, is it an automatic first down.

For example:

If it is, fourth down and 18, and the Punter is roughed; is it then fourth and 3?

15 yards and first down. Fifteen yards from the previous spot, A's ball first and ten.
Running into the kicker five yards from the previous spot, no first down.

NCAA: Yes, roughing the kicker or holder is an auto-first down

Here's all the auto-first down fouls:
AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWNS (DEFENSIVE FOULS)
Pass interference
Striking, kicking, kneeing, elbowing, etc.
Meeting with knee, striking with open hand, etc
Piling on
Tripping
clipping
Hurdling
Tackling out of bounds
Face mask defense
Butting or ramming with helmet Spearing
Running into opponent out of play
Top of helmet striking
Roughing the passer
Tackling receiver of uncatchable pass
Blocking below the waist
Chop blocking
Stepping, jumping or standing on opponent
Continuous contact to opponent’s helmet
Illegal contact with snapper
Roughing the kicker or holder
Illegal contact with eligible receiver
Fighting [also disqualification]

Roughing the Punter?
 

Was this always the case? (automatic in NCAAs)

Was the rule changed recently?

Seemed to remember in the past, teams would always rush the Punter when it was more than 3-15; because in college is was just a 15 yard penalty.

Thanks for your response.

I can only go back to 1991 and it was an auto-first back then. I'm sure it wasn't changed anytime after that.

Theisey,

Appreciate your help.

Is there anywhere I could check the history of the rule. I am almost positive, in the 1980s, college teams would make a point of rushing the Punter, selling-out to block a Punt when the opponent had 3-16 or more. (which wasn't very often)

And when (above) you say "Roughing the Kicker and Holder", that also applies to the Punter.

Thanks again.

Sorry, can't hlep you there. I'm aware of a book called "The Anatomy of the Game" by David Nelson which I believe has a rules history from day one.

fyi: Punter = Kicker.

There are only 4 penalties in NF with auto 1st down: roughing the passer, kicker, snapper, and DPI.

5.

Roughing the holder.