[zenman]

NCAA Rules

They define the 2 pylons at the goal line as in the end zone. Why, who knows.

End Zones
ARTICLE 3. The end zones are the 10-yard areas at both ends of the field
between the end lines and the goal lines. The goal lines and goal line pylons
are in the end zone, and a team’s end zone is the one it is defending (A.R.
8-5-1-X and A.R. 8-6-1-I).


There is an exception for the end zone in determining if a pass is completed.
Notice a player does not need to be inbounds to determine a completed pass in the end zone which from the replay he appeared to be in the end zone.
There appear to be different rules for a pass caught in the end zone.

Completed Pass
ARTICLE 6. Any forward pass is completed when caught by a player of the
passing team who is inbounds, and the ball continues in play unless completed
in the opponent’s end zone or the pass has been caught simultaneously
by opposing players. If a forward pass is caught simultaneously by opposing
players inbounds, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the passing team (Rule
2-2-7) (A.R. 2-2-7-III and A.R. 7-3-6-I-IX).

He was in the end zone when his forward progress was stopped with frim control of the ball.
I don't see anywhere it says for a pass caught in the end zone a player has to come down in bounds only that his progress has to be stopped in the end zone. Reminder they have defined that the "goal line pylons are in the end zone". These are special magical pylons with a power of their own. In a bowl game between navy and utah the ncaa made a statement that the pylons are both in the end zone and out of bounds. (huh !!!).

"The ball was fumbled forward and hit the pylon. The pylon is out of bounds and also in the end zone," read an official statement from the officiating crew, citing Rule 8, Section 6, Article 1, Item 1 in the NCAA college football rule book. "There was a mistake made. It should have been ruled a touchback and the ball should have been placed at the 20-yard line."


Incompleted Pass
ARTICLE 7. a. Any forward pass is incomplete if the ball is out of bounds by
rule or if it touches the ground when not firmly controlled by a player. It also is
incomplete when a player leaves his feet and receives the pass but first lands on
or outside a boundary line, unless his progress has been stopped in the field of
play or end zone (Rule 4-1-3-p) (A.R. 2-2-7-III and A.R. 7-3-7-I).


This rule stopped his progress after it was a complete pass by rule. Since he was in the end zone with clear possession of the ball it should be a touchdown since his progress had the ball in the end zone.
He was both out of bounds and in the end zone.

ARTICLE 1. a. A player or an airborne player is out of bounds when any
part of his person touches anything, other than another player or game
official, on or outside a boundary line (A.R. 4-2-1-I and II).
b. A player or an airborne player who touches a pylon is out of bounds.