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Originally Posted by sj
That's the key question I guess. We had this happen only B2 recovered in the end zone so we didn't have to rule on anything. But it got us to talking. Was it a pass or not? Was it intentional or not? Does it matter if it intentional or unintentional?
It's kind of hard to justify giving them a score because if you do it again on any play close to the goal line where it's a last ditch effort. If it's done in the middle of the field then A is risking losing the ball as a fumble. But on a try,or the last playe of the game, then there is nothing to lose. If a runner knows he won't make it anyway just go ahead and fumble/throw the ball forward and maybe your teammate recovers. No risk and high reward.
If you rule it a pass and the ball hits the ground you have an illegal forward pass that is incomplete.. If you don't rule it a pass but rule it a fumble and the ball doesn't hit the ground and A2 catches it then it's a score. Seems like they are getting away with one if don't rule it as an illegal forward pass.
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REPLY: Does it matter if it intentional or unintentional? Absolutely. An intentional pushing of the ball forward is an illegal forward pass and you're right. It should be flagged. However, 'intention' is something that needs to be judged by the covering official...at least for Fed. The NCAA and NFL has obviated the need for that kind of judgment by instituting rules governing how to handle fumbles which go forward OOB, or which occur during 4th downs and tries. The NFL rule (also called the "Markbreit rule") had its genesis after a game where Kenny Stabler intentionally 'fumbled' a fourth down carry forward where it was 'muffed' further. It eventually ended up in the endzone where Dave Casper recovered for the game-winning TD. Markbreit was screened and could not see that Stabler's fumble was anything but accidental.