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NCAA reportedly looking into potential rule change after incredible punt return by North Texas
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North Texas went viral on Saturday. After making look Arkansas look foolish on a unique punt return, everyone was marveling at the Mean Green’s creativity.
But that kind of play may not be legal for much longer.
According to Tommy Craft of Hit That Line, the NCAA rules committee is looking into the bizarre punt return and could close any potential loopholes to prevent the play from happening again. On the play, the North Texas punt returner faked a fair catch and acted as if the play was dead for a few second before bolting toward the end zone and scoring.
Was told earlier today that NCAA FB Rules committee is considering a rule amendment possibly as soon as this weekend to close any loophole that would allow a Punt Return similar to UNT’s 90 yd score vs ARK
— Tommy Craft (@tommycraftespn) September 17, 2018
In case you missed the play, here is the video:
North Texas punt returner uses some trickery score a TD pic.twitter.com/vlMWeNH3aU
— FlurrySports (@FlurrySports) September 15, 2018
The concern on the play was of player safety, and that someone who believed the play was dead could’ve been laid out or caught off guard.
It’s a fair point when addressing player safety. We’ll see if the rules committee comes up with a way to outlaw this type of play.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB