First-time targeting offenders won't serve carryover suspension during 2026 college football season

The consequences of the most controversial penalty in college football will change for the 2026 season. The FBS oversight committee announced Thursday that first-time targeting offenders who commit the penalty in the second half won't serve a carryover suspension in the first half of the next game. This important modification will be in place on a one-year trial.

While players called for targeting will still be ejected from the game in which the foul occurred, those assessed the penalty for the first time during the season won't have to deal with their absence bleeding into another game. Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem: Make your picks for $50K in total prizes First-time targeting offenders flagged for the penalty in the first half have already been exempt from any kind of suspension outside of their in-game disqualification. The NCAA FBS Oversight Committee has approved a rule change re: targeting penalties for the 2026 season pic.

twitter. com/w3T8xPZeGP — Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 19, 2026 Of the 117 targeting fouls in FBS competition last season, 64 came in the second half of games, NCAA coordinator of officials Steve Shaw said last month, according to The Athletic . One of those notably had an effect on the national title game, as Miami cornerback Xavier Lucas was forced to sit out the first half after being flagged for targeting in the second half of a Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal win over Ole Miss.

That wouldn't have happened under this new trial rule. Second-time targeting offenders will, however, miss the first half of their next game. If a player is disqualified for targeting for the third time in one season — no player was last season — they will have to miss their entire next game.