Officials timeouts are also a reason for the clock to stop here as well, but not for setting the chains after a first down or for a penalty. The clock runs during those times. We stop it if we have an injury or something that is going to cause an unusual delay. And when we call a penalty, I know we are not in a huge hurry to get the game back in play. Actually, we do not even pass on penalties that ordinarily would be called if the game was still competitive. No reason to delay the misery.

Peace

In Alabama a running clock is never permitted by rule. By mutual agreement of both coaches quarters may may be shortened to any length if the game score gets out of hand.

It may be worth remembering that the basic reason for shortening the game is that in reaching (whatever point differential may apply) is an acknowledgment of the imbalance between contesting teams, which can needlessly contribute to unnecessary injury or ill will if left to continue to the normal (full) conclusion, unrestricted.

The basic purpose is not to provide a special opportunity for the losing team to catch up, rather to recognize the inevitable outcome created by the imbalance, and conclude the event minimizing the potential for unnecessary injury or ill will.

And if I may piggy back on this if the losing team does close the gap at all it is usually against the winning teams 2nd or even 3rd string players.

I don't like the rule if it gets under the points threshold for the running clock that it goes back to normal timing. In PA, it's 35 points in the second half and stays a running clock until the game is over.