The NCAA has approved changes to deter players from feigning injuries to disrupt high-tempo offenses. Effective 2025, a team calling for a medical staff check on a player post-ball spotting will lose a timeout. If a player falls after the ball is set and the team lacks timeouts, a five-yard delay of game penalty will be imposed. This adjustment follows concerns in college football about strategic injury faking to halt momentum or avoid timeouts.
In response to these issues, the NCAA Football Rules Committee introduced measures to address fake injury tactics. Conferences now have the authority to penalize schools if it's confirmed a player simulated an injury. Additionally, teams entering a third overtime will no longer receive a timeout per overtime period. The rule changes aim to maintain game integrity and prevent misuse of injury stoppages, as seen in the Oregon vs. Ohio State game where a 12th-man penalty was exploited, prompting subsequent rule clarifications and adjustments.