10-second proposal withdrawn by committee

Controversial change was backed by Arkansas' Bret Bielema

Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema talks with the media before a private Signing Day in the Rock event Thursday evening in Little Rock.

Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema talks with the media before a private Signing Day in the Rock event Thursday evening in Little Rock.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the decision says a proposed rule that would have slowed college football's fast-paced offenses has been withdrawn by the NCAA rules committee.

The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.

After a conference call by the football rules committee, it was agreed the so-called 10-second rule would not be given to the playing rules oversight panel on Thursday for approval.

The proposal penalized offenses for snapping the ball before 10 seconds have run off the 40-second play clock.

The committee cited player safety concerns when it passed the proposal on Feb. 12. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema and Alabama's Nick Saban were not on the committee but pushed for changes to control the ever-quickening pace of play.