[grantsrc]

You had an IW. The ball was still live and I think your heading down the right path with your thinking now.

Any time the ball comes back behind the LOS untouched by K beyond the LOS, they can advance the ball. Simply touching the ball anywhere on a kick doesn't kill the play. Like you said, if the ball is beyond the LOS, it is first-touching, if it is behind the LOS, ball is still live. Now if they simply touch the ball and it comes to rest with no one making an effort to get it, then it is dead. Keep in mind though that if K simply touches the ball downfield on a scrimmage kick, R can still advance it because the touching doesn't kill the ball.

Chalk it up as a learning experience. And you're right, at least no one made a big stink about it!