Game clock

[jwwashburn]

I have always wondered...

In NCAA Basketball, the whistle stops the clock almost instantly.

In NCAA Football, the clock seems to ALWAYS run at least a second or two(sometimes more) after the whistle.

Why don't they do something to fix this?

Joe in Michigan

[qcumpire]

I've got a couple of reasons.

First, every time the whistle blows in basketball, the clock stops. In football, the clock only stops in certain situations.

Secondly, many of the college arenas have the timing systems that automatically stop the clock on the sound of the whistle.

[jwwashburn]

I had no idea that the clock and whistle were linked in basketball. That explains a lot.

I knew, of course, that only some whistles stop the clock in football. I guess that would make a link between the whistle and the clock in football nearly impossible. Still, it seems like they could do something better. I have seen instances in major college football games where 10 or 15 seconds click off without remedy.

Joe in Michigan

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I had no idea that the clock and whistle were linked in basketball. That explains a lot.

I knew, of course, that only some whistles stop the clock in football. I guess that would make a link between the whistle and the clock in football nearly impossible. Still, it seems like they could do something better. I have seen instances in major college football games where 10 or 15 seconds click off without remedy.

Joe in Michigan

10-15 secs gone without remedy in a major college game?!?!?! I don't think so. Can you name the game(s)? I see them go to pains to correct the clock when there is onl 2-3 secs difference. In major college games there is always at least one official keeping his own watch on the field as well as several guys glancing at the clock after every play.

[jwwashburn]

It was a big game toward the end of last season. I do not remember the teams but there was less than 2:30 left and the announcers made note of it. I do not recall the refs ever making a deal out of 2 or 3 seconds. I saw 2 seconds go off after the whistle in the Oregon vs Oregon Stste game tonight.

Joe in michigan

[TXMike]

There was a game last year where the clock was not stopped by the refs and it should have been. Maybe that is the one you mean? I thiknk it was BC against someone. If the refs don't signal for clock to stop then it will nto be stopped. That is a different situation than when they signal for it to stop and it does not.