Dumb NCAA football question

In the UCLA-ND game, both the starting defensive end (who was killing the Irish) and the punter had number 17.

I know college rosters are so huge that some numbers might be duplicated, but I always thought the second guy would be some freshman who'd never see the field. I can't say I've noticed two starters with the same number before.

Is it common? Does UCLA have to report it before the game or risk a penalty, kind of like when an offensive lineman reports in as an eligible receiver on short-yardage situations?

 

It's a lot more common than it should be. There's at least one BCS school down here that's known for having starters on both sides of the ball wearing the same number.

 

USC QB John Booty and linebacker Brian Cushing both wear No. 10

Apparently, the NCAA allows it as long as the two aren't on the field at the same time.

 

Louisville's backup quarterback and a starting CB both wear No. 14.

 

The team I'm thinking about has had guys with the same number on their kickoff team. The NCAA may not allow it but officials do a shitty job of enforcing it.

 

Duplicity has become a big thing because schools promise players they can wear certain numbers during recruitment, even though the number is alread assigned.

Washington has done it for years and years, and other schools are following suit. It really causes confusion on the stat crew.

There's no excuse for it. There are plenty of numbers to go around, even at schools that have retired some. Most schools can dress only 60 or 65 for conference road games, and seldom do more than 50 or 60 play in a particular game.

No conference will ban duplicate numbers individually, because it will perceive a recruiting disadvantage. This will have to come from the NCAA.

 

Several online sites had the wrong person kicking PATs for LSU in its victory over Arizona State in 2005 because of a situation like this. Of course, shame on the lazy person who didn't look at a roster, see two players with the same number -- one of whom played defense and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown -- and question the SID. Or, you know, look at the flip chart for the names and jersey numbers of the specialists.

 

The Nebraska quarterback Taylor and linebacker Corey McKeon both wear No. 13, I believe.

 

Cal running back Marshawn Lynch and their best linebacker, Desmond Bishop, both wear #10.

 

last year the team i covered had a punter and defensive player wearing the same number. the defensive player was then put on the punt team, and he'd put on a different jersey for when he was on punt team and then take it off for defense. seemed pretty stupid to me

 

There are no dumb questions, only dumb coaches.