[MJT]

by KWH Consider this play:
B1 intercepts A1's forward pass in B's endzone and returns it unmolested 104 yards up the B sideline for an apparrant TD. After B1 (still near the sidline) has ran by and passed his team box, several non-players of B step on to the field to watch the TD. The Umpire, (who by this time has recovered and has made it all the way out to the B-15) observes this illegal? activity by the B bench and throws his flag. The Umpire then reports that the B bench was on the field at the 50 prior to B1 crossing the goal line!

What I am getting at is the play described does not meet the new rule at all. The new rules says in part the entry of a substitute during the down is a foul for illegal participation rather than illegal substitution. This is not what happened. You have nonplayers on the field, but not as a player or substitute. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING it fits under rule 9-8-1i, which says it is a nonplayer USC foul for "a nonplayer being on the field except as a substitute or replaced player." IF you throw a flag, it is this, which is administered from the succeeding spot.

[Edited by MJT on Mar 10th, 2005 at 10:06 PM]