![]() ![]() ![]() This is apparent in the graph above, but it is also easy to see that the largest drop off in average returns per game was after the rule change.īefore the rule change, teams averaged 3.11 returns per game. #College football kickoff freeIn general, the number of kick returns have steadily declined for a while now due in large part to the increased emphasis on player safety, but also due to coaches wanting to take the free guaranteed yardage to start out a drive. The data covers only FBS teams, but due to teams each season either moving up to FBS or down to FCS, a consistent 123 team sample was maintained by removing the following teams: Idaho, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, Charlotte, UAB, Coastal Carolina, and Liberty. This provides five years of data prior to the rule change and two years of data after. All data was obtained from and covers from the 2013 to the 2019 seasons. Let’s take a look at the numbers and see.īefore getting started, a word on the methodology of the data. Now that two seasons have passed with the new rule in place, how have teams adjusted their kickoff game plans? With coaches around the country being so centered around efficiency (and hopefully player safety), have they taken the free extra five yards for a guaranteed start at the 25 yard-line and little risk of injuries? Or is the prospect of a big momentum-changing return too attractive to pass up? The rules committee suggested this rule tweak with the goal of increasing the number of touchbacks, which in turn would hopefully decrease the number of injuries that occur during kick returns. How have teams reacted? We will look at the stats and see.īefore the start of the 2018 season, the NCAA implemented a new kickoff rule that states that a kickoff returner may signal for a fair catch anywhere within the 25-yard line for a touchback that results in the drive starting at the 25. It’s been two years since the new 2018 college football kickoff rule. By Zack Tyszkiewicz 2 years ago Follow Tweet ![]()
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