NCAA proposes moving up kickoffs to 35

Published Feb. 9, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The NCAA football rules committee has proposed moving kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35 and to limit the running start by players on the kicking team to 5 yards as a way of keeping players safer.

NCAA says its injury data indicates injuries during kickoffs occur more often than in other phases of the game.

The NFL moved up kickoffs 5 yards this past season and touchbacks increased dramatically.

The committee also proposed a rule that would require a player who loses his helmet during a play to stop participating and leave the game for one play, and proposed changes to rules regarding blocking below the waist and blocking on punt returns.

All rules change recommendations must be approved by the playing rules oversight panel, which meets Feb. 21.