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A step in the right direction

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/3/19/media-center-changes-to-penalty-structure-for-targeting-in-di-football-approved.aspx

For the 2026 season, the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday approved a one-year trial rule to modify the penalty structure when players are penalized for targeting.

Under the rule, a player disqualified for targeting for the first time during the season, regardless of which half it occurs, may participate in the next game.

Any player disqualified for targeting a second time during the season will be required to miss the first half of the next game. If a player is disqualified for a third targeting penalty during the season, the player will be required to miss the entire next game. No players were disqualified for targeting three times in the 2025 season.

A conference has the option to initiate an appeals process after a player's second targeting offense. The appeal, which can cover the first and second targeting offenses, would be sent to the NCAA national coordinator of football officials, who would then facilitate a video review.

If the call is overturned on appeal, the player will be able to play without sitting out the first half of the next game.