Final play in TCU/Balor

[psu213]

First, I have no rooting interest in this game...

My partner often complains about substitution rules in college football.  I.e., when the offense substitutes, the defense has a chance to "match" their substitution, even to the point that the offense could suffer a delay penalty or be forced to take a TO.  Those of us who remember Purdue/Michigan c. 2000 find this to be a good rule. Having said that, it does seem to be inconsistently enforced between conferences.

At the end of TCU/Baylor: 4th down, clock running.  TCU rushes their FG unit on and kicks a game winning FG as time expires.  If Baylor had been given a chance to "match" TCU's substitution, time would have most certainly run out.  Does the substitution "rule" not apply on 4th down?  Does it not apply to kicking plays or if a team lines up in kicking formation?

Again, no rooting interest...just curious.

[mike]

The time an opponent gets to match is not unlimited. Everyone knew that TCU was going to attempt a FG in that situation so the time the officials gave Baylor to match was less than they would if the possibility of plays was much greater. Let’s say it was inside the 5 yard line where TCU could go for a TD, the officials would likely have given a longer time to match.

[zebrablog]

There is a casebook entry for this very situation of a running clock late in the game. The defense can reasonably expect the offense is running a field goal attempt and be able to substitute immediately. If A hesitates, they don't get the benefit of this approved ruling. This also fits with the theory that, if possible, we don't want the game to end with the ball on the ground.



Approved ruling 3-5-2 (VII)

Late in the first half Team A is out of timeouts. A pass play on third down ends inbounds at the B-25 short of the line to gain with the game clock showing 0:10. Facing fourth down and three, Team A immediately hurries its field goal team onto the field. RULING: Team B should reasonably expect that Team A will attempt a field goal in this situation and should have its field-goal defense unit ready. The umpire will not stand over the ball, as there should be no issue of the defense being uncertain about the next play.

[psu213]

Thank you! Those were the answers I was looking for.