× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

The NCAA approved rule changes for college football on Monday, one of which would disallow a play that Alabama head coach Nick Saban griped about after Auburn’s thrilling 48-45 win over Saban’s team last fall.

Per new rules, if a half expires, a video review can no longer put time back on the clock to be started on the referee’s whistle unless there are at least three seconds put back on the clock.

Auburn kicker Anders Carlson drilled a 52-yard field goal at the end of the first half during last fall’s Iron Bowl, when the ball was put back down for play with one second left in the half after a video review. Auburn’s special teams unit lined up and snapped the ball on the sound of the ready-for-play whistle, and Carlson hit the kick, cutting Alabama’s lead to 31-27 going into the break.

Carlson said after the game that the situation is something Auburn prepared for, calling it a ‘whistle kick.’

Auburn fans saw the play as another come-about for Saban, who famously pleaded for one second to be added back on the game clock at the end of the 2013 Iron Bowl, before Chris Davis returned the missed field goal back for a touchdown to win the game. In the 2019 edition, the roles were reversed, but the play came at the end of the first half instead of the end of the game, and Carlson made his field goal.