Last season, South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart made national headlines for all the wrong reasons after a costly sack celebration against Ole Miss. Late in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium, Stewart took down Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart for what should have been a drive-ending play. Instead, he stood over Dart and mimicked firing an imaginary gun. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty erased the stop, giving Ole Miss a first down, and led to a field goal in what became a 27-3 loss for the Gamecocks.
Criticism was swift, from fans to the media. ESPN announcer Dave Pasch called it a "clearly unintelligent play," and analyst Dusty Dvoracek labeled it a "true freshman mistake." Head coach Shane Beamer called the celebration "unacceptable" and confirmed Stewart was internally disciplined. The incident also fueled a broader discussion about celebrations that simulate gun violence, which ultimately drew repeated condemnation from leagues and broadcasters.
Fast forward to the upcoming 2025 season. The NCAA has now made those types of gestures an automatic unsportsmanlike foul. The new rule, that will be put in place this season, explicitly states that all forms of gun violence are prohibitd in college football, and simulating any type of "firing of a weapon" will result in a penalty. Brandishing a weapon, even as part of a celebration, is now also covered under the ban. The rule change, announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Officiating (CFO), aims to protect the image of the game and promote player safety.
Steve Shaw, the CFO National Coordinator of Football Officials and Secretary-Rules Editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee, emphasized the committee's mission: “The mission of the Rules Committee is to develop and evaluate rules changes that will enhance the sport, protect the image of the game, and enhance the student-athlete’s health and safety.”
Other Rules for the 2025 College Football Season:
While the gun gesture ban stands out, it is only one of several notable rule changes for the upcoming season:
- Feigning Injuries: Teams will be charged a timeout or penalized if a player fakes an injury after the ball is spotted.
- Overtime Timeouts: One timeout per team for each of the first two extra periods; only one total after that.
- Replay Language: “Confirmed” and “Stands” will now be replaced by a single “Upheld” call.
- Kick Return Signals: The “T” signal is now considered invalid and ends the return.
- Pre-Snap Movement: Both offense and defense will be penalized for exaggerated motions designed to draw a false start.
- Disconcerting Signals: Certain cadence words like “move” and “stem” are now reserved for defensive use only.
- Defensive Substitution Fouls: Extra defenders after the two-minute warning will be penalized, and the offense can reset the clock.
- Scrimmage Kick Formation Rules: Updated to prevent exploitation of player safety rules during fakes.
- Coach-to-Player Tech: Helmet comms expanded to FCS; tablets can be linked to larger screens in locker rooms at halftime.
- Defenseless Player Protections: Now includes players attempting to recover a loose ball.
- Optional Equipment: Nearly clear eye shields without reflective effects may be approved for use.