Since its been a lukewarm/hot topic the last few days given 2 #5's caught TD passes last Saturday, I thought I would clarify the current state of the rule.
NCAA Football Rule 1-4-2(a) states "no two players on the same team may participate in the same down wearing identical numbers".
NCAA Football Rule 1-4-2(d) states "two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game."
Position is the key term. Going back to the 2013 Egg Bowl, Mathers was the first #5 and played RB, Rob came in later in the game as a RB, also wearing #5-VIOLATION (though we weren't penalized other than Rob changing jersey number).
Going back to the UTM game, Rob was the first #5 to play offense, lining up as a FB; Lodge, also #5, later came in designated as a WR-NO VIOLATION.
Also, as an aside, if you change your jersey number during the game, it must be announced to the officials; if not announced, it is an unsportsmanlike penalty.
NCAA Football Rule 1-4-2(a) states "no two players on the same team may participate in the same down wearing identical numbers".
NCAA Football Rule 1-4-2(d) states "two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game."
Position is the key term. Going back to the 2013 Egg Bowl, Mathers was the first #5 and played RB, Rob came in later in the game as a RB, also wearing #5-VIOLATION (though we weren't penalized other than Rob changing jersey number).
Going back to the UTM game, Rob was the first #5 to play offense, lining up as a FB; Lodge, also #5, later came in designated as a WR-NO VIOLATION.
Also, as an aside, if you change your jersey number during the game, it must be announced to the officials; if not announced, it is an unsportsmanlike penalty.
