By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – Earlier today, the NCAA officially announced changes to the penalty structure of targeting for Division I football. In the past, if a player committed a targeting penalty in the second half of a game, they would have to miss the first half of their team’s following game. That will not be the case for 2026.
According to a press release from the NCAA, any disqualification for the following week will now be based upon the number of targeting calls that player has received on the season.
Here is how disqualifications will be administered for targeting during the 2026 season:
- 1st Targeting Penalty – Disqualification from current game, no disqualification in following game.
- 2nd Targeting Penalty – Disqualification from current game, disqualification from first half of following game.
- 3rd Targeting Penalty – Disqualification from current game, disqualification from entire following game.
Per the press release, conferences will also have the option to appeal targeting penalties on the second offense. Should the call be overturned on appeal, there will be no disqualification for the player in the following game.
This ruling will operate on a one-year trial run in 2026.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
