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Reports: NCAA considering rule change in wake of North Texas’ punt return against Arkansas
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North Texas’ 90-yard punt return score against Arkansas on Saturday was so unique that the NCAA is considering changing the rule book to disallow it.
According to the Tommy Craft of ESPN, the NCAA is considering a rule amendment that would “close any loophole” that would allow a punt return similar to what happened in the Arkansas game this past weekend.
North Texas WR Keegan Brewer caught a punt at the UNT 10-yard line, and didn’t signal for a fair catch, but acted like he had. It seemed as though the rest of the return team was aware of the act, and had set up blockers ready to escort Brewer to the end zone.
Check the play out here, courtesy of @SportsCenter on Twitter:
Now THAT'S a perfectly executed trick play ? #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/YR3pKyyDaH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2018
According to the Denton Record-Chronicle, a second source also confirmed that discussions about a rule change are ongoing.
As to what the rule amendment will actually be, Craft chimed in on that as well:
Remember a whistle is not required for the play to be dead-this play is pure deception which the rules frown upon when it’s considered an unfair act https://t.co/wts1sNx5Bw
— Tommy Craft (@tommycraftespn) September 17, 2018
It looks as though Arkansas’ embarrassing moment could be etched in stone.
Jordan Dajani covers SEC football for Saturday Down South and is a University of Tennessee graduate. He also has experience working in the NBA and with ESPN.
