Former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore — whose 50 victories as a starter are the most in major college history — made one more NCAA highlight this offseason.
So, too, did Kirby Moore, Kellen’s younger brother and current Boise State receiver.
There’s only one problem: The video was of the what-not-to-do variety, showcasing instances of players without properly secured helmets (Kellen) or where helmets came off (Kirby).
The video was sent in preparation for one of this year’s biggest rule changes: If a player loses his helmet, it will be treated like an injury, including a 10-second run-off in certain situations, and the player must leave the game for at least one play. There are exceptions for helmets that come off as a result of a penalty, such as a facemask. A team cannot use a timeout to get the player back in the game without missing a play.
College football is also changing its kickoff rules. A touchback will result in the receiving team getting the ball at the 25-yard line, not the 20. The hope is for fewer kickoff returns — and fewer injuries.
Player safety was at the heart of the helmet rule change, too.
Boise State coach Chris Petersen joked that the helmet problem was less of a Bronco issue than a Moore problem.
“I’ve seen the video,” Kirby Moore said with a smile.
The video shows Moore’s helmet coming off when he landed on his back after a sideline catch against Toledo.
“I cut my hair, so hopefully that won’t happen again,” said Moore, who is no longer sporting a mane of curly locks under his helmet.
Kellen Moore makes an appearance early in the video. The Broncos’ helmets have four connections for securing a chin strap. But the quarterback liked to use just three of them with the fourth dangling down. It’s a common look in the NFL, where quarterbacks are consistently unhooking their chin strap after plays.
“That happened to be the talking point. Good for him that he doesn’t have to worry about that now,” Kirby Moore said of his brother, now with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
Helmets popping off had become an epidemic in college football in recent years. It was hard not to notice all of the helmets on the field last season. And the NCAA clearly did.
It’s a result of a number of different factors: helmets that aren’t tight enough or buckled properly, hands to the face, big hits, big hair — and sweat.
“When you’re sweaty, it’s not that hard to have a helmet fly off,” Boise State sophomore linebacker Blake Renaud said.
As part of the rule change, a player must stop playing when his helmet comes off in the middle of a play. No more helmet-less defensive linemen trying to chase down running backs, as cool as that looks from time to time.
The Broncos are taking the new rule seriously. The team has been shown the video and encouraged players to make sure their helmets are secure. In fall camp, when a player’s helmet comes off, his teammates have been quick to tell him he has to get out of the next play.
“We showed them the national video. We’ve talked about it. These guys don’t want to miss a play,” Petersen said. “The equipment men have seen it, so we’re trying to get the best-fitted helmets, a little tighter maybe than they’ve been in the past. They know if it comes off, they’re out.”
Early in the Broncos’ Aug. 18 scrimmage, open to players and fans, players lost a helmet on three consecutive plays. Safety Lee Hightower, running back D.J. Harper and defensive lineman Darren Koontz had to leave the game after their helmets came off.
The new rule could have a huge impact on games. It’s not difficult to imagine a quarterback losing his helmet, forcing a backup into the game on a pivotal player. Perhaps third-and-7 in the fourth quarter.
Still, the change is a good one.
Player safety is — as it should be — the top priority for college football rule makers. A one-play penalty might be just the deterrent needed to keep helmets on players’ heads, where they belong, instead of on the turf.
Brian Murphy: 377-6444; Twitter: @MurphsTurph
