From Comcast SportsNet
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Kickoffs in major college football will move from the 30to the 35-yard line next season, a change intended to keep players safer.The change was approved this week by the NCAA playing rules oversight panel,which also said the running start by players on the kicking team will be limitedto 5 yardsThe NFL moved up kickoffs 5 yards this past season and touchbacks increaseddramatically. Another new NCAA rule involving free kicks will move touchbacksfrom the 20 to the 25-yard line, a move intended to encourage more touchbacks.The panel also approved a rule that will require a player who loses hishelmet during a play to leave the game for one play, and there are also newguidelines regarding blocking below the waist and blocking on punt returns.Players will also be prohibited from leaping over blockers when trying to blockpunts.
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