Kenny Pickett’s fake slide triggers immediate rule change from NCAA

Kenny Pickett used a fake slide to score a 58-yard touchdown in the ACC Championship Game, but it immediately left fans and media wondering if it was legal.

Now the NCAA has made a quick move to outlaw the move, and cause the ball to be dead immediately. It also won’t be reviewable.

“Yeah, it was intentional,” said the ACC player of the year, per the Associated Press. “I just kind of started slowing down and pulling up and getting ready to slide and I just kind of saw their body language and they just pulled up as well. … I have never done that before. I just kind of kept going after I initially started to slide.”

Here is part of the new rule text:

“Any time a ball carrier begins, simulates, or fakes a feet-first slide, the ball should be declared dead by the on field officials at that point. The intent of the rule is player safety, and the objective is to give a ball carrier an option to end the play by sliding feet first and to avoid contact,” the ruling reads, in part. “To allow the ball carrier to fake a slide would compromise the defense that is being instructed to let up when the ball carrier slides feet first. A fake slide will not be considered reviewable under Rule 12-3-3 – Dead Ball and Loose Ball.”

Changed the game! #H2P https://t.co/ZoPRTpiHEn

— Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10) December 10, 2021

As expected, a fake slide will cause the ball to become dead effective immediately. It is not reviewable. https://t.co/T6xTB1R2Zf pic.twitter.com/iOdx984OZo

— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) December 9, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.