Syracuse Football: Let’s delve into key rule changes for the 2020 season

The 2020 term for Syracuse football and others playing this fall will prove like no other, and we examine a bunch of rule changes going into effect.

Syracuse football, its Atlantic Coast Conference peers and teams from several other leagues around the country are gearing up for their fall stanza.

As the Orange prepares to take the field on Saturday, Sept. 12, at North Carolina, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame have sent out a press release highlighting some important rule changes for the 2020 campaign.

Related to players’ uniform numbers, no more than two guys on the same team can wear the same jersey number. In past years, no limits existed on duplicate numbers. The digit “0” has gotten added as a legal number, but a number preceded by “0” is not allowed.

There is a change as it pertains to the targeting rule. A player disqualified for targeting obviously cannot continue to compete, but the player can stay in the team’s sideline area.

"The statement adds, “All other disqualifying fouls such as Fighting, two Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls, Flagrant Personal fouls, etc. will be reclassified as fouls requiring ejection. Players ejected will be required to leave the playing enclosure and must remain out of view of the field of play under team supervision.”Here’s some information about defensive linemen on scrimmage kick plays. “To further enhance the protection of the snapper on scrimmage kicks, if the offense is in a scrimmage kick formation at the snap, any defensive player within one yard of the line of scrimmage must be aligned completely outside the frame of the body of the snapper at the snap.  This change paired with the current rule that does not allow the defense to initiate contact with the snapper until one second has elapsed on these type plays will further protect the snapper on kick downs.”"

Any instant-replay review is not expected to take longer than two minutes, which many fans I’m sure will appreciate. An exception to this is if the review “has end of game impact or has multiple aspects as a part of the review.”

If a squad doesn’t comply with jersey rules, that could entail “a 15-yard penalty after the kickoff of each half and the loss of a timeout in each quarter that illegal jerseys are worn.” Jersey rules pertain to things such as legal and contrasting numbers, as well as jersey colors.

A substitution infraction by the team on defense is now considered a live ball foul. Additionally, “All fouls that have an option to carry over to the succeeding kickoff will also contain an option to carry over to the succeeding spot in extra periods.”

There are also rule adjustments this coming season due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Team sideline areas will get extended “from the current configuration between the 25-yard lines and expanded to the 15-yard lines” to help facilitate social distancing.

“Coaches will be encouraged to utilize this 70-yard area to separate all team personnel and not have large groups congregating in a specific area near the ball.”

The pre-game coin toss in 2020 will only include one captain from each squad, the referee and the umpire, with all four people social distancing.

A cloth medical mask attached to a player’s facemask, below the eye-shield area, is now allowed. If multiple players on a team wear these medical masks, they have to possess the same color and design, with no advertising or slogans, although the squad’s logo is permitted.

As we’ve previously reported, the NCAA is allowing players to use their uniforms to express their opinions of, and voice their support for, racial and social justice.

Finally, there are some new officiating protocols to pass along. Officials will use an electronic whistle, rather than a traditional one.

All officials will wear a solid black mask, while protective eyewear and gloves are recommended, but not required. Officials will get tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.