[Bob M.]

According to Federation rules, it certainly seems that this is a legal hit since NF 6-5-6 states that the prohibition against hitting R is removed "...after a scrimmage kick has been touched by a receiver who was clearly beyond the neutral zone at the time of touching."

The NCAA rule (6-4-1) does indeed say that the receiver "must be given an unimpeded opportunity to catch the kick." But, in the same rule, they also say that this protection terminates "when the kick touches the ground or is touched by any player of Team B beyond the neutral zone." However, the new 2003 NCAA rule which eliminates the halo says the when the receiver signals for a fair catch, he remains "protected" even if he muffs the kick into the air. That protection continues until the muffed kick touches the ground.