Haven't gotten my magazine yet, but I do remember an NF case on this where a T is given without a warning. The basis is that the offending team gains an advantage.
The case: A1 scores with 4 or 5 seconds left in game (perhaps no TO's), still down by 1. Team B will win if they do not inbound the ball, so A2 knocks the ball away such that the official must stop the clock to retrieve the ball. If you only warn them, they now have a chance to win. We can probably think of other situations in the last few seconds where a warning would help the offender. I think the intent of the rule is to penalize with a T in this case (or ignore if possible so you don't have to stop the clock).
Not a problem anymore in NCAA with clock stopping after made field goal at end of 2nd half.
JC
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