Quote:
Originally Posted by hsfootballfan
We're inside 30 seconds left in the game, score is 23 -20, team with ball is trying to tie the game.
4th and 12, offense opts for a field goal attempt from the 17.
Field goal attempt is blocked but picked up by the holder who rolls to his left, towards the opponent sideline, and attempts a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage. Pass falls incomplete...
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Just wondering whether the rest of you hear a radio announcer in your head saying all this when you read this stuff. I do. Anyway...
Quote:
However, there are flags on the play.
And a lot of other stuff going on as well...
There were players from the opposing teams (defense) bench running on to the field in celebration of the blocked kick, and were within a few yards of the holder with the ball during the play.
The flags were for illegal participation on the defense (during the play) and one on the offense for illegal man downfield.
Initially the team that blocked the kick was given the ball 1st and 10, a simple knee wins the game.
The coach of the team who kicked the field goal goes on to the field and requests that the referees review their ruling and asks them to assess the penalties correctly.
After 20 minutes (or so) of discussion the referees decide that the illegal participation was during a live ball.
During the discussion...an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was given to the kicking team as well.
What is the correct call (s), what team should have the ball, and where should it be placed.
After your replies, I'll post what the refs decided and link to a video of the play, and the amazing finish.
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I can't watch video here, so I'm just going by the description, with some assumptions that could well be wrong. This is an unusual situation that I don't think can be fairly handled by "normal" rules.
When the non-players ran onto the field, I'm assuming that some of them didn't have helmets on, and that all of them thought the ball was dead. That's a dangerous situation for which play should've been whistled dead.
But it wasn't whistled dead. Yet it could hardly have been considered football from that point on, and I think it should've been retroactively considered dead before the forward pass was thrown.
The bottom line is interference with play by non-players, and an equitable penalty should be administered. The time, spot, etc. should be adjusted however the referee thinks equitable. If he thinks a likely score was prevented, it should be awarded. In other words, a pure judgement call. Good luck deciding it, Solomon.