spiking ball to stop the clock.

Question
I would like to know why spiking the ball to stop the clock is not intentional grounding. The quarterback is not outside the tackles and the ball does no go past line of scrimage.

Answer
Steven
Thanks for your question, a passer who immediately spikes the ball after the snap to stop the clock is not committing in violation of a rule.  The Rules committee has created an exception to the intentional grounding rule and permits this act of spiking the ball to stop the clock.  For all intents, the act would be intentional grounding but in one circumstance it is an exception to the rule.  The idea is the spike/pass must be immediate and in so allowing this the team gives up a down [i.e. gives up a chance to advance the ball].

In short, it is an exception to the rule desired by coaches.

Thanks for your question.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official