That helmet rule is gonna cost someone a ballgame

If ya ain't cheatin ya ain't tryin.

Surely the refs fricked up. That can't be the rule.

This

In this game the runoff really does penalize the defense. It's 10 seconds less for the defense to get a turnover.

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They called it in the UGA game also.

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This is the reason I posted. I've seen it twice today. Unless there was a double frickup it seems that it is the rule. I cannot say that I am positive of the wording of the rule, though.

Here's the rule for future reference:

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When the helmet coming off is the only reason for stopping the clock, other than due to an injury to the player or his teammate (Rule 3-3-5), the following conditions apply (A.R. 3-3-9-I-III):
1. With one minute or more remaining in either half the play clock will be set at 25 seconds if the player is on offense and at 40 seconds if the player is on defense. The game clock will start on the referee’s signal.
2. If there is less than one minute in the half the opponent has the option of a 10-second subtraction. The play clock will be set at 25 seconds.
If there is a 10-second subtraction the game clock will start on the referee’s signal.
If there is no 10-second subtraction the game clock will start on the snap.
The 10-second subtraction may be avoided by the use of a team timeout, if available.
There is no option for a 10-second subtraction if helmets come off opposing players.

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