quote:
Originally posted by Larry Gonski:
What would happen if a punt on fourth down and from the three and the punt was muffed by K and R was about to pounce on it in the end zone when the kicker then kicks the loose ball out of the end zone?
Larry,
To answer your question, this would be a safety for 2 reasons. But first let me clarify your play. I think you meant to say that the "snap" was muffed by K, not the "punt" was muffed by K. Either way, I guess it still doesn't make any difference in the result. First, if R declines the penalty for illegal kicking it would be a safety because the snap put the ball in the endzone where it was declared dead in K's possession by going OOB. Second, if R accepts the penalty for illegal kicking it would be a safety because the all-but-one principle dictates that the spot of enforcement on a loose ball foul by the offense behind the basic spot is the spot of the foul.