PARK CITY, Utah — Along with a new coordinator of officials in the Big Sky Conference this season — veteran referee Karl Richins — there are a number of important rule changes adopted by the NCAA for the 2013 season.

    Richins, who takes over for Doug Toole, a man who held the position for 14 years, officiated football games in the Big Sky, Mountain West and Big 12 Conferences.

    “We were lucky to have Karl Richins to step in. He’s a long-time official,” said Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton.

    Once again, officials will place significant emphasis on targeting. It’s the same rule as the last few years —the head and/or neck area of defenseless players will not be targeted — but a new penalty has been added. Players who are guilty of targeting will be automatically ejected. If the ejection happens in the first half, the player misses the rest of that game. If it happens in the second half, that player is suspended for the first half of the next game as well.

    At the FBS level, targeting plays can be reviewed to confirm or negate the call. Unfortunately, there is no instant replay at the FCS level.

    Here are some of the other changes that will take effect for the 2013 season:

    - Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will now be given for “chicken fighting” — the extra shoves or exchange that happen after a play is over. Two of these penalties against one player results in an automatic ejection.

    - Last year when a player lost his helmet, he had to sit out the next play. Now, a player can remain in the game if his team burns a time out. An opponent calling a time out does not count.

    - Injuries that occur inside one minute of each half are subject to a 10-second runoff.

    - The minimum time to spike the ball is three seconds.

    - Pushing the ball carrier has been illegal, but now it is legal. You can’t pull him, but you can push him.

    - Players who change jerseys must report the change to the referee. No two players in the same position can wear the same number.

    - Numbers must clearly contrast with the jersey. They cannot be the same color at all. You can’t have a red jersey that has red numbers with a white outline.