NCAA's New Rules: Mike Pereira On Penalties For Faked Injuries In College Football

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Post on Aug 31, 2025

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NCAA's New Rules Crack Down on Faked Injuries in College Football: Mike Pereira Weighs In

College football is cracking down on a controversial tactic: faking injuries to manipulate the game. The NCAA has implemented new rules targeting players who feign injuries to gain an unfair advantage, and the changes are already sparking debate. Veteran rules expert Mike Pereira offers valuable insight into these crucial updates and their potential impact on the sport.

The Problem with Fake Injuries in College Football

For years, coaches and players have been accused of using deceptive injury timeouts – faking injuries to stop the clock, ice down an opponent’s momentum, or substitute key players. This tactic, often referred to as "injury manipulation" or "tactical injuries," undermines the integrity of the game and is widely viewed as unsportsmanlike. It's not about genuinely injured players needing time; it's about strategic gameplay that prioritizes winning over fair play.

NCAA's Response: New Penalties for Faked Injuries

The NCAA's new rules aim to curb this behavior. While the specifics might vary slightly depending on the conference, the core principle remains consistent: intentional deception regarding an injury will result in penalties. These penalties can include:

• Unnecessary Roughness Penalties: If officials deem an injury claim to be a ploy, they can flag the offending team for unnecessary roughness.
• Targeting Penalties: In severe cases, or if the feigned injury involves targeting an opponent, more significant targeting penalties could be issued. This could lead to ejection.
• Loss of Down: This penalty is a possibility in some conferences as a direct consequence of the fraudulent claim.
• Reprimands and potential suspensions: The NCAA could impose further discipline beyond on-field penalties, such as reprimands or suspensions for coaches or players.

Mike Pereira's Perspective: A Veteran's Insight

Mike Pereira, a highly respected former NFL vice president of officiating and current rules analyst, has weighed in on the NCAA's new rules. While he doesn't explicitly endorse any particular penalty, he highlights the difficulty in definitively proving intent. Pereira stresses the importance of officials having the authority to judge the situation and apply penalties accordingly. He believes the focus should be on consistent enforcement and creating a deterrent effect.

“The key is consistency," Pereira stated in a recent interview. "Officials need to be empowered to make the call when they see a clear attempt to manipulate the game through a feigned injury. It's not about punishing honest injuries, it's about penalizing intentional deception.”

The Future of Fair Play in College Football

The success of these new rules largely depends on their consistent application. Officials will require thorough training to accurately identify feigned injuries, and coaches and players need to understand the severity of the consequences. The NCAA’s commitment to fair play is evident in this decision, but only time will tell how effectively these regulations will deter this increasingly prevalent tactic.

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Call to Action: What are your thoughts on the NCAA's new rules regarding faked injuries? Share your opinion in the comments below!