NCAA Removing Helmet During Live Ball
 

Was watching the end of the Alabama game Saturday and the Tide blocked the potential game winning field goal on the last play of the game. The player who blocked the kick removed his helmet in celebration as the ball was rolling off to the side of the pile. Shortly (a couple of seconds) after he removed his helmet, an Alabama player fell on the ball and the game was over.

The announcer said Tennessee could have gotten another attempt at the field goal for that infraction. Knowing the rules knowledge of most announcers, I take that with a grain of salt. I have, in years past, seen it called after a score, but what is the NCAA rule on a player deliberately removing his helmet during a live ball? Please do not get into a discussion of whether it should or should not be called; I am just wondering about the rule and enforcement.

Thanks!

RULE 9 Conduct of Players and Others Subject to the Rules
SECTION 2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls
Unsportsmanlike Acts
ARTICLE 1. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct or any act
that interferes with orderly game administration on the part of players,
substitutes, coaches, authorized attendants or any other persons subject to
the rules, before the game, during the game or between periods.
a. Specifically prohibited acts and conduct include:
1. No player, substitute, coach or other person subject to the rules shall
use abusive, threatening or obscene language or gestures, or engage
in such acts that provoke ill will or are demeaning to an opponent, to
game officials or to the image of the game, including but not limited
to:
(f) Removal of a player’s helmet before he is in the team area
(Exceptions: Team, media or injury timeouts; equipment
adjustment; through play; between periods; and during a
measurement for a first down).
If committed while the ball is alive, these fouls are treated as dead-ball
fouls.
PENALTY—Dead-ball foul or live-ball foul treated as dead-ball foul.
15 yards [S7 and S27] from the succeeding spot.


RULE 3 Periods, Time Factors and Substitutions
SECTION 2. Playing Time and Intermissions
Extension of Periods
ARTICLE 3. a. A period shall be extended for an untimed down (other than
a try) if during a down in which time expires one or more of the following
occurs (A.R. 3-2-3-I-VIII):
1. A penalty is accepted for a live-ball foul(s) not treated as a dead-ball
foul (Exception: Rule 10-2-5-a). The period is not extended if the
statement of the penalty includes loss of down (A.R. 3-2-3-IX).

RULING: 15 yard penalty from succeeding spot. Alabama-Tuscaloosa recovered the kick, therefore they will have the ball 1st and 10 following enforcement.
Since this is a live-ball foul treated as a dead-ball foul, the period is NOT extended. The game is over.

More Public Official Bashing.....
 

No sense in calling a USC on the last play of the game since it will never be enforced.

Thanks for the information. That is what I thought the outcome would be. Since the Alabama player was in possession at the end of the down, there is no way Tennessee could have had another shot at the field goal.

You mean it doesn't carry over as a technical foul to start the game when they meet again in basketball season?