[Bob M.]

REPLY: I know I'm late, but here's my thoughts...In some cases, I even stated the unlikely, ridiculous choices that a team might make. This, I believe, helps us understand the full implications of fouls and their penalties. Note: I think #3 is a great teaching play. Presents a really tough choice for B.


1. A 4/6 B26. A's unsuccessful field goal attempt is partially blocked. The ball bounces at the B1, is batted by A88 after it crosses the plane of B's goal line and hits the ground in B's end zone. During the down, B56 holds A87 on B's 22.
RULING: Touchback. B’s foul is enforceable under PSK. PSK spot is B’s 20. Result: B, 1-10 from B’s 10.

2. A 2/8 B47. A22 fumbles at the B41. A88 is about to recover at the B43 when B56 bats the ball backward and out of bounds at the B38.
RULING: Illegal bat by B56. Result (Play): A’s ball, 1-10 from B’s 38. Result (Penalty): A, 1-10 from B’s 26.

3. A 4/14 B26. A's field goal attempt is partially blocked. B33 muffs the kick at the B4. As A44 is about to pick up the ball, B35 kicks the ball at the B2 through B's end zone. During the down, A73 tackled B92 at the B6 to prevent B92 from recovering.
RULING: B’s choice: (a) refuse the penalty for A’s hold. Then penalize B (PSK) for illegally kicking the ball. Result—B, 1-10 from B’s 1. Or (b) accept the penalty for A’s hold. Result—A replays 4th down. Tough choice for B…either accept horrible field position, or give A a second chance at the FG!

4. A 4/8 A40. B41 gives a valid signal and is in position to catch the punt at the B22. A83 runs into B41 just after the ball slips through B41's hands and is on the ground. A83 was close to, but did not impede B41, when B41 muffed the punt. The ball rolls to the B14 where A89 recovers the ball.
RULING: A, 1-10 from B’s 14.

5. A 4/14 A48. 2 seconds to go in the 3rd quarter. A's legal forward pass is intercepted by B84 who is advancing at the A24 when the Side Judge inadvertently blows his whistle. A78 committed a holding foul on the A44 prior to the interception. Time expires during the down.
RULING: (Play-inadvertent whistle) B, 1-10 at A’s 24 – or – B can have A replay the down. In either case, an untimed down is required. (Penalty--unlikely) A, 4-24 from A’s 38. Again, an untimed down is required.

6. A 4/25 B45. The score is tied with 12 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. A's legal forward pass is completed to A84 who fumbles at the B22. A65 recovers at the B16. B78 roughs the passer. Two seconds remain on the clock.
RULING: For Federation, if A65’s recovery is on the ground and simultaneously causes the ball to become dead, it is not considered a new related run. Therefore penalize B from B’s 22. Result: A, 1-10 from B’s 11. Clock on ready. If time expires before the subsequent snap, play an untimed down.

7. Team A scores a TD on the last timed down of the 4th quarter to make the score A26-B27. Team A goes for two points on the try. A throws a legal forward pass into the corner of the end zone. A88 pushes B22 to keep him from intercepting the pass. The pass is deflected and B34 intercepts and runs for a score. During B34's run, A58 throws his helmet. After the down it’s discovered B had 12 men on the field. Or for NCAA ,B65 was offside at the snap.
RULING: FEDERATION: Double foul (OPI on A; IP on B). Official should have sounded the whistle on B’s possession. Assuming he didn’t (an inadvertent non-whistle!) ignore B’s score, replay the try after penalizing A for A58’s USC. A tries from B’s 18. NCAA: Double foul - - replay the try. Need to let the play go after B’s interception. Since B’s foul was prior to the interception, negate the score. A re-tries from B’s 18 after enforcing A58’s USC.