During Big 12 Football Media Days on Tuesday, conference director of officiating Walt Anderson explained the new rules for the 2012 season.
1. Kickoffs: Move from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line. Touchbacks now result in the ball at the 25-yard line, not the 20. Also, members of the kickoff return, other than the kicker, cannot start from more than five yards from the kickoff spot. That is to limit running head starts. And finally, on onside kicks, kicks that are driven into the ground immediately and then bounce high are treated the same as a pooch kick – the return team has the same fair-catch protection.
Result: More touchbacks, shorter fields for offenses (75 yards away from the goal line instead of 80 yards) and fewer successful onside kicks.
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