SEC punters will no longer be protected when 5 or more yards from where they were originally standing to kick the ball.

The announcement was made by the league during Day 2 of the SEC Media Days in Nashville on Tuesday.

SEC coordinator of officials John McDaid said roughing-the-kicker or running-into-the-kicker will no longer be called by officials if the kicker is made more than 5 yards from where he was originally standing.

The rule comes after last year’s controversial finish to last season’s game between Missouri and Kentucky. In that game the Tigers were called for roughing-the-kicker late in the game, and the Wildcats won 21-17.

In April, the NCAA announced other rule changes to shorten the length of games.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rules changes for Divisions I and II intended to continue the “effort to control the flow of the game and encourage more consistent game management.”

The rules:

1. No consecutive timeouts (Division III included)
2. The game clock will continue to run when a first down is gained.
3. The game clock will be stopped when a first down is gained during the last two minutes of either half.
4. Penalties at the end of the first and third quarter will carry over and be enforced on the first play of the next quarter. (Division III included)

McDaid said Tuesday the length of games in the SEC aren’t much of a topic.

“There isn’t much concern for games that last 3 hours, 21 minutes (SEC average),” he said, per Chuck Dunlap. “The concern becomes when are 3:45 or more.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.