Taunting will start costing college teams points in 2011
Eye black with messages and wedge blocks will be banned from college football this fall, and taunting in the field of play will start costing teams points in 2011. The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the three rules changes yesterday.
Eye black with messages and wedge blocks will be banned from college football this fall, and taunting in the field of play will start costing teams points in 2011. The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the three rules changes yesterday.
The wedge-blocking rule says that when the team receiving a kickoff has more than two players standing within 2 yards of one another, shoulder to shoulder, it will be assessed a 15-yard penalty - even if there is no contact between the teams.
But it's the taunting rule that will create the biggest buzz. Currently, players who are penalized for taunting on their way to the end zone draw a 15-yard penalty on the extra-point attempt, two-point conversion attempt or the ensuing kickoff. Beginning in 2011, live-ball penalties will be assessed from the spot of the foul and eliminate the score. Examples include players finishing touchdown runs by high-stepping into the end zone or pointing the ball toward an opponent. Celebration penalties following a score will continue to be assessed on conversion attempts or the ensuing kickoff.
College Basketball
* Louisiana-Monroe coach Orlando Early resigned after five seasons.
* Baylor leading scorer LaceDarius Dunn announced he will return for his senior season.
Golf
* Tiger Woods announced he will play the Quail Hollow Championship, which begins April 29 in Charlotte, N.C.
* K.J. Choi shot a 7-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead at the Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
* Cristie Kerr, Na Yeon Choi and Amanda Blumenherst each scored 13 points in their three six-hole matches to top the quarterfinal qualifiers in the inaugural Mojo 6 Jamaica LPGA Invitational in Montego Bay.
Tennis
* The International Tennis Federation says it will review rules that have prevented it from suspending Wayne Odesnik even after the American player pleaded guilty to importing growth hormones into Australia.
* The father of tennis player Jelena Dokic has been paroled by a Serbian court a year after being convicted of threatening Australian ambassador Claire Birkin because of articles in the Australian press in which Jelena Dokic accused him of beating her.
Sport Stops
* Dick Advocaat unexpectedly quit as Belgium's national soccer coach and is expected to be hired by Russia.