Quote:
Originally posted by wildcardcis
One team kicks off and the ball goes into the opponents' end zone and is lying on the ground about 2 yards deep in the end zone. The receiving team makes no effort to play the ball and one of the receiving players waves his arm over his head (like a touchback signal) to the nearby official who blows the ball dead (and later gives the ball to the receiving team on the 20). Meanwhile, the kicking team has run down to the end zone, falls on the ball, and claims that it should be a touchdown as the ball is live and in play. (We can argue about when the ball was blown dead vs. when the kicking team fell on it.)
What is the rule here? Thanks.
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NFHS: There is no argument here. The ball should have been blown dead when it crossed the plane of the goal line. However, a whistle is only an indication of the ball being dead, it does not kill the play.
While the player had to wake up the official, the correct call was made and the ball was spotted on the 20 because a touchback occurred.