College football’s targeting rule to get extra review

College football fans can expect more interruptions for targeting penalties this season. The NCAA rules committee approved a change that allows the replay booth to review a potential targeting penalty that was missed by officials on the field.

The changes, outlined at Pac-12 Media Days on Friday by David Coleman, the vice president of Pac-12 officiating, are meant to catch more egregious hits. In recent seasons, fans, along with some coaches and players, have complained about uneven application of the targeting rule.

This season’s change doesn’t fundamentally alter that rule.

“The aspects of targeting have not changed,” Coleman said.

But it should catch the few instances each season when officials fail to notice obvious calls.

“I’m talking about a big hit,” Coleman said. “You’re watching on TV, you saw it. Everybody in the stands saw it. The player who did it probably knew that he did it. The player who received the blow knows he received the blow. But for some reason, the officials on the field did not get it.”

Coleman also outlined other minor changes. A sliding quarterback is now considered a “defenseless player” when he begins his slide, not when he touches the ground. And the Pac-12 plans to emphasize uniform infractions, such as untucked jerseys.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Twitter: @zhelfand