Is pass interference a spot foul in college? Closer look at NCAA rule book

In college football, pass interference results in a 15-yard penalty, unlike in the NFL where it’s a spot foul, meaning the ball is placed at the spot of the foul. This difference leads to a lot of debates, as the NFL penalty can be much more severe to a defense.

One argument against the college rule is that the lighter penalty can actually encourage strategic fouls. Some defenders might find it worthwhile to take the 15-yard penalty to stop a big play, especially if it prevents a touchdown. In contrast, the NFL's stricter rule aims to prevent this by imposing harsher consequences.

A closer look at NCAA pass interference rules

As per the NCAA rulebook, when pass interference occurs, the offense is awarded the ball either at the spot of the foul or with a limited penalty, depending on how far downfield the infraction happened.

Here’s the breakdown:

• If the foul happens less than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, the ball is placed at the spot of the foul, and the offense gets an automatic first down.
• If the foul occurs 15 or more yards downfield, the penalty is capped at 15 yards, but the offense still gets a first down.

This rule attempts to keep the game balanced, but it does mean that on a deep pass, a defender can give away a 15-yard penalty instead of a touchdown. It's a different approach from the NFL, where defensive pass interference results in the ball being placed at the spot of the foul, no matter how far down the field it occurs.

Additionally, if the interference happens near the goal line, there are extra rules:

• If the foul is committed on a play snapped from inside the 17-yard line, the ball won’t be placed closer than the 2-yard line.
• Inside the 2-yard line: The offense gets a first down, and the ball moves half the distance to the goal.

Lastly, for high school football, the rules are a bit stricter. Pass interference doesn't automatically give the offense a first down unless it’s a roughing penalty like hitting the quarterback or kicker.

Defensive and offensive pass interference in college football

Defensive pass interference in college football happens when a defender makes obvious contact with a receiver beyond the neutral zone, preventing them from having a play on a catchable pass. This rule only applies after the ball has been thrown.

Offensive pass interference occurs when an offensive player makes contact with a defender beyond the neutral zone during a forward pass.