Restore College Football’s Traditional First-Down Clock Rule
Restore College Football’s Traditional First-Down Clock Rule
The Issue
To the NCAA Football Rules Committee and NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel:
College football fans are asking the NCAA to restore the traditional rule that stopped the game clock after a first down until the ball was ready for play.
Beginning with the 2023 season, the NCAA changed its timing rules so that, outside the final two minutes of each half, the clock continues to run after a first down. The NCAA stated that the change was intended to reduce overall game time and modestly reduce the number of plays.
But reducing the amount of football being played is not the solution fans were asking for.
College football broadcasts can still occupy a large portion of a Saturday afternoon or evening. Fans continue to experience lengthy and frequent television commercial breaks, while the running clock reduces the number of offensive plays and possessions we actually get to watch.
If the goal is to make broadcasts shorter and improve the viewing experience, the solution should be to reduce unnecessary stoppages and excessive commercial time — not remove football from college football.
The traditional first-down clock rule was also one of the features that distinguished college football from the NFL. It allowed offenses more opportunities to mount comebacks, created additional late-game possibilities, and contributed to the unique pace and identity of the college game.
We therefore ask the NCAA to:
Restore the pre-2023 first-down timing rule, stopping the game clock after a first down until the ball is ready for play; and
Address excessive television stoppages separately, rather than shortening the amount of football played in order to reduce total game time.
Fans understand that television revenue is an important part of college athletics. Commercials will remain part of broadcasts. But if a college football game is going to occupy roughly the same portion of our Saturday, fans should not receive fewer plays of football simply to make room within that broadcast window.
The NCAA itself described the 2023 change as a step whose impact would be reviewed. We are asking the NCAA Football Rules Committee to review that impact and reconsider the rule.
Give college football fans more football — not less. Restore the traditional first-down clock rule.
10
The Issue
To the NCAA Football Rules Committee and NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel:
College football fans are asking the NCAA to restore the traditional rule that stopped the game clock after a first down until the ball was ready for play.
Beginning with the 2023 season, the NCAA changed its timing rules so that, outside the final two minutes of each half, the clock continues to run after a first down. The NCAA stated that the change was intended to reduce overall game time and modestly reduce the number of plays.
But reducing the amount of football being played is not the solution fans were asking for.
College football broadcasts can still occupy a large portion of a Saturday afternoon or evening. Fans continue to experience lengthy and frequent television commercial breaks, while the running clock reduces the number of offensive plays and possessions we actually get to watch.
If the goal is to make broadcasts shorter and improve the viewing experience, the solution should be to reduce unnecessary stoppages and excessive commercial time — not remove football from college football.
The traditional first-down clock rule was also one of the features that distinguished college football from the NFL. It allowed offenses more opportunities to mount comebacks, created additional late-game possibilities, and contributed to the unique pace and identity of the college game.
We therefore ask the NCAA to:
Restore the pre-2023 first-down timing rule, stopping the game clock after a first down until the ball is ready for play; and
Address excessive television stoppages separately, rather than shortening the amount of football played in order to reduce total game time.
Fans understand that television revenue is an important part of college athletics. Commercials will remain part of broadcasts. But if a college football game is going to occupy roughly the same portion of our Saturday, fans should not receive fewer plays of football simply to make room within that broadcast window.
The NCAA itself described the 2023 change as a step whose impact would be reviewed. We are asking the NCAA Football Rules Committee to review that impact and reconsider the rule.
Give college football fans more football — not less. Restore the traditional first-down clock rule.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on September 3, 2026