When Does the Clock Stop in Football?

Many football fans may not know this, but the basic philosophy behind when the football game clock should stop dates back to the sport’s progenitor: Rugby. 

The basic premise goes like this: If the ball remains on the field and in play, the clock should continue to run. Once the ball is thrown into the ground or run off the field, though, that’s when the clock temporarily stops running.

Additional rules and tweaks often vary by level. College football and the NFL have different clock nuances.

When Does the Clock Stop in the NFL?

In the NFL, the clock stops running if the ball is carried out of bounds during the final two minutes of the first half or the final five minutes of the second half.

The clock also stops after an incomplete pass, during a timeout, and at the two-minute warning that occurs near the end of each half. 

When Does the Clock Stop in College Football?

College football rules were changed prior to the 2023 season to closer align with the NFL rules. The clock no longer stops after every first down unless it’s the final two minutes of a half. 

The clock still stops on incomplete passes and timeouts, but there is no two-minute warning in college football.