The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rule changes for the 2022 season in late April. The NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed the rule changes.

The change receiving the most attention is regarding targeting fouls during the second half of a game. In games with instant replay, the carryover penalty of sitting out the first half of the next game will be eligible for appeal.

One change that fans will notice the NCAA is implementing this season is to reduce knee injuries.

Blocking below the waist. Blocking below the waist will only be allowed by the linemen and stationary backs inside the tackle box. Blocking below the waist outside the tackle box will result in a penalty.

Fans will notice penalties related to this rule change throughout the 2022 season, with officials already mentioning blocking below the waist, which will be a point of emphasis this year.

The panel also made changes to two other rules. First, if a ball carrier simulates a fee-first slide, officials will declare the runner down at that spot. This rule is being implemented to prevent a fake slide similar to the one Pitt QB Kenny Pickett used against Wake Forest in last year’s ACC championship game that resulted in a touchdown.

The final rule change implemented for this year regards defensive holding. A defensive holding penalty will now result in a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down. 

Western Athletic Conference

Former Southland Conference foes Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State have agreed to a home-and-home series for the 2023 and 2025 seasons, according to FBSSchedules.com. The two programs have met in the Battle for Chief Caddo 69 times since 1924.

Tarleton and Southeastern Louisiana have agreed to a home-and-home series in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, according to FBSSchedules.com. The Texans will travel to SLU in 2023, and the Lions will visit Stephenville in 2024. This will mark the first meeting on the football field between these programs.

Sam Houston picked up a commitment from 2023 DB Kaden Kelly. He will join the Bearkats after completing his senior year of high school at Denton Ryan.

According to his social media, SFA added Matthew Yzaguirre to its coaching staff. Yzaguirre joins the Lumberjacks after two seasons as a student assistant coach at Mary Hardin-Baylor. 

Southland Conference

Craig Haley wrote about the three new schools that joined the FCS ranks on July 1st for TheAnalyst.com. Included is a short write-up on Texas A&M-Commerce.

Lamar landed a commitment from Wichita Falls City View OL Mason Hill. 

UIW announced the signing of Washington RB Caleb Berry, Houston DL Olivier Charles Pierre, Auburn DB Devan Barrett, Oklahoma DL Zacchaeus McKinney, Northern Arizona WR Brandon Porter, Rice DL Miles Adams, Arkansas State TE/WR Seth Hayes, Sam Houston DL John Mathis, Pensacola DB Donte Thompson, Longview High School WR Dekalon Taylor, SFA DL Wilburn Smallwood, and Blinn DL Edgerrin Dillard-Williams.

Southwestern Athletic Conference

The 2022 State Fair Classic between Prairie View A&M and Grambling will kickoff at 6 p.m. on Oct. 1, according to HBCU Premier Sports. The game returns to the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas opening weekend.

Lone Star Conference

West Texas A&M and Grand Valley State agreed to a home-and-home series in 2026 and 2027. The Buffs will travel to GVSU in 2026, and the Lakers will make the trip to Canyon in 2027. GVSU holds a 3-0 series lead over WT with the last meeting in 2013.

Former Texas A&M-Kingsville WR Aaron Dilworth has signed with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League. The Corpus Christi Flour Bluff product finished his collegiate career with 867 yards and ten touchdowns on 73 receptions for the Javelinas from 2015-2019. Dilworth spent the last two years playing arena football for the West Texas Warbirds and the Sioux Falls Storm.

American Southwest Conference

Mary Hardin-Baylor has hired Todd Macon as running backs coach, as first reported by TrueToTheCru.com. Macon spent the last two years as running backs coach and video coordinator for NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa.

Texas Lutheran introduced new white uniforms for the 2022 season featuring a tribute to the 1970s and 1980s with a modern touch.

McMurry announced Ingram Moore QB/ATH Kam Carrington, Abilene Wylie WR Reed Hughes, and Bosqueville QB/ATH Luke Bradshaw to the War Hawks 2022 recruiting class.

Sooner Athletic Conference

SAGU promoted Brent Battle to offensive coordinator. Battle was the Lions' wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator last year. The North Texas alum has previously served as operations manager and offensive quality control coach for the D.C. Defenders in the now-defunct XFL and was a defensive analyst and football recruiting assistant for the University of Michigan.

Southwestern Junior College Football Conference

Blinn DB Keion Bennett announced his commitment to Texas Southern. The Samuel Clemens product recorded 42 tackles in 11 games last year.

Tyler DL Jacob Humphery announced his commitment to Jackson State on social media.