A rule change approved by the NCAA Football Rules Committee and will allow defensive players to advance fumbles no matter where they recover the ball. The old rule allowed a defensive player to advance a fumble only if it occurred beyond the line of scrimmage.
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The NCAA said the change was made to improve the balance between the offense and the defense and to make plays involving fumbles easier to officiate. It does not apply to missed laterals and pitchouts, which are considered backward passes. It also does not apply to muffed kicks.