4th down fumble advance (Madison vs OC Alamodome 8 Dec 2012)

[MADFAN#1]

Here is the set up:

4th and 1 center hikes the ball but qb never gains possession of the ball. Ball squirts backwards and is picked up by running back who runs for an apparent TD.

Should the TD count?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by MADFAN#1

Here is the set up:

4th and 1 center hikes the ball but qb never gains possession of the ball. Ball squirts backwards and is picked up by running back who runs for an apparent TD.

Should the TD count?

You don't have all the necessary information here... but based solely on what you posted, yes. The snap is a backward pass, not a fumble.

[MADFAN#1]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

You don't have all the necessary information here... but based solely on what you posted, yes. The snap is a backward pass, not a fumble.

What other information would you like?

[MD Longhorn]

Trying to find the details that probably matter - what class is Madison and who is OC? Do you have a newspaper article you can link?

[MADFAN#1]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Trying to find the details that probably matter - what class is Madison and who is OC? Do you have a newspaper article you can link?

Both teams are class 5A (Texas)
O'Connor = OC

Can't find a newspaper link.

[JasonTX]

This is a TD. The muffed snap is not a fumble, but simply a backwards pass. All players may recover and advance a backwards pass.

[MADFAN#1]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

This is a TD. The muffed snap is not a fumble, but simply a backwards pass. All players may recover and advance a backwards pass.

Thanks for the input

[MD Longhorn]

Was hoping to find video - the description made it sound like it may have been a planned play - a la fumblerooski.

[HLin NC]

Should the TD count?

Why shouldn't it?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Why shouldn't it?

He was assuming the snap was a fumble (he even used that term)... if it WAS a fumble, it couldn't be advanced by anyone other than the fumbler. Which would mean no score.

He was unaware, however, that the backward pass from the snapper is not considered a fumble wrt this rule.