South Carolina Fair Catch

[Sonofanump]

Why to the announcers not have someone in the booth to tell them the rules of the game. Any, I repeat any signal is a fair catch signal. What a bunch of idiots.

-end rant.

[Toadman15241]

Looks like someone got to them and told them the rule because they later "clarified" the difference between NFL and NCAA rules.

[ChickenOfNC]

Can someone cite the rule for me? I have a bunch of Gamecock buddies who refuse to believe the ruling was correct.

[Sonofanump]

Rule 6-5-3 / Kicks FI-35

VI. Team A’s scrimmage kick is rolling beyond the neutral zone when
B17 alerts his teammates to stay away from the ball by a “get away”
signal at his waist or below. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is
dead by rule when either team recovers.

[JRutledge]

I thought you were talking about the muff where Clemson recovered and eventually won the game. I did not see this other play. Could you describe the play a little more and what was called?

Peace

[Sonofanump]

South Carolina player back to receive a scrimmage kick punt on his own 10 yard line. Ball is short of his position, he waives near his waist for his teammates to get away. Ball strikes the ground, he runs over picks it up and begins to run with it. Immediately, the BJ hits the whistles, killing the play. The receiver demonstrates to the BJ his waiving “get away” signal. BJ judge acknowledges the player. Announcers criticize the official says “he gave the get away signal which he is allowed to”.

The receiver advanced the ball about three steps, I know the book says two, but I agree with staying away from a delay foul on R here, he stopped once he heard the whistle. Obviously, the player did not know the rules, which is odd this late in the year.

[JRutledge]

Last year the NCAA outlawed that action. There had been many situations where it was confusing if the returner would give a signal for fair catch or not. So the NCAA said any movement with the arms was to be considered legal or an invalid signal (if the rule was not followed). This is just a couple of seasons old and the BJ did the right thing. But as usual, the fan boys know better an of course the commentators know better.

Peace