Kicking Off 2007 Season

There have been several NCAA rules changes for the 2007 football season but the rule that is getting the most attention is the one that states teams must now kick off from the 30-yard-line instead of the 35. Some notable college coaches are weighing in on the kicking change.

Texas head coach Mack Brown states, " I think it could change college football as much as anything we've ever seen." Pretty strong words for a mere five yard change or is it? Another coach, Missouri's Gary Pinkel says,"It'll be a huge impact. Obviously, it depends on your kicker."

Another coach gives a different perspective. "I spent three years in the NFL, so it's not a shock to my system," Colorado State special-teams coach Dave Arnold said, "but it's a shock to the college football system."

So what is five yards? It is only a mere 15 feet. Consider these statistics. A year ago, the ACC, returned 64.4 percent of all kickoffs. In the SEC, it was 69.1 percent.

Rogers Redding, the SEC's supervisor of officials, estimates that somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of all kickoffs will be returned this season because kickers won't be able to boot it into the end zone as often. Of course, more returns means better starting field position for the opposing offense. Better starting field position usually translates into more points. The average kickoff return in the ACC and SEC last season was just more than 20 yards. That figure is expected to increase by at least 5 yards, if not more.

"I think the time that we've spent on kick coverage and kick returns in practice has just about tripled," said Eddie Gran, the special teams coach at Auburn. "We're covering kicks live in practice. We rarely ever do that. None of us really knows what is going to happen, but whatever it is, we have to be prepared for it."

The NCAA rules oversight panel's decision was predicated on keeping the game moving and the energy level high. It may also create some elevated blood pressure for coaches.

Purdue head coach Joe Tiller and critic of the change has yet another perspective on the rule change. He says that the kickoff is the most violent play in football and the few extra returns won't be worth it if injuries, such as concussions, increase. Says Tiller, "So now they're moving back 5 yards so we can create more g-forces as these kids are running into each other," he said. "I'm not in favor of moving it back 5 yards. I think about the health and safety of the players, first and foremost."

Dave Parry, national coordinator of NCAA football officiating, says, ""We're going to give it a try and see how it goes. I think most people are willing to take a good look at it, and let's give it a chance."