NCAA approves new overtime rules for 2021 college football season
It’s official, the NCAA has made the decision to change college football’s overtime rules beginning next season.
Moving forward, all teams will be required to attempt a two-point conversion if they score a touchdown in the second overtime period. The previous rule required teams to attempt a two-point conversion after a touchdown starting with the third overtime period.
Additionally, if a game reaches a third overtime, the game will be decided by a series of alternating two-point conversion attempts. The first time a team converts a two-point play and its opponent fails to do so, the game will end.
Here is the official NCAA announcement regarding the overtime rule changes for the 2021 college football season:
Teams will be required to run a 2-point conversion play after a touchdown when a game reaches a second overtime period. Previously, a 2-point attempt was required after the third overtime period.
Also, if the game reaches a third overtime, teams will run alternating 2-point plays, instead of starting another drive at the opponent’s 25-yard line. This is a change from the previous rule, which started to use 2-point plays in the fifth overtime period.
This rules change is being made to limit the number of plays from scrimmage and bring the game to a quicker conclusion. Teams can still choose whether to kick the point after touchdown or run a 2-point conversion play during the first overtime period.