Illegal kick?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

The aspect of this that I'm missing is the rule reference that doesn't require B to snap the ball on an untimed down. I'm pretty sure it is in there somewhere,

I think you're looking for 5-1, which refers to a series of downs as being awarded a team. If it's awarded, then it may be declined.

Back when the try was described as awarded, it too could be declined. However, now NCAA & Fed rules say a team "shall" put the ball in play in those situations.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I think you're looking for 5-1, which refers to a series of downs as being awarded a team. If it's awarded, then it may be declined.

Back when the try was described as awarded, it too could be declined. However, now NCAA & Fed rules say a team "shall" put the ball in play in those situations.

If I remember correctly, wasn't the change made in response to teams electing to not even attempt a try once the clock had expired due to the possibility that B could, if the margin was 1 or 2 points, win or tie the game on a returned try attempt? If so, this reasoning would logically extend to the OP and show where I was wrong.

Not to go too far down another path, but if the margin of the score 20 points instead of 2 points, would the enforcement change since the probability of A winning on a colossal mistake from B goes from minuscule down to 0% due to the greater difference in score? My hope is that A won't want any part of the untimed down and declines the penalty, but based on this thread and further reading, I think it is up to A to decline it. I could only find that a try attempt is not attempted if the points will not affect the outcome of the game. Since this isn't a try attempt, the ball would have to be put in play if the penalty is accepted even if the score differential is 20 or 50 points.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

If I remember correctly, wasn't the change made in response to teams electing to not even attempt a try once the clock had expired due to the possibility that B could, if the margin was 1 or 2 points, win or tie the game on a returned try attempt?

No, because Fed has "shall" too (w/o 2-way scoring on the try), & NCAA made that change before 2-way try scoring was instituted. I couldn't say for sure right now, but I think the wording changed in the 1930s.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Welpe

There's no exception for the score. Team A would have to decline the penalty.

Thank you for confirming my understanding of this. From a game management perspective, would you emphasize to A that accepting the penalty isn't going to have any impact on the game if it is a blow out or do you just let it go? Obviously in a close game there is always a chance of a fumbled snap or something goofy that could allow A to score to tie or win, but in a blowout I'd hate for that "something goofy" to result in an injury if the play isn't going to impact the outcome of the game.

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

No, because Fed has "shall" too (w/o 2-way scoring on the try), & NCAA made that change before 2-way try scoring was instituted. I couldn't say for sure right now, but I think the wording changed in the 1930s.

Clearly I've been grasping for straws to try to align NCAA rules with having never observed a team leading in the score snap the ball during an untimed down to extend the 4th quarter (other than a try attempt). I appreciate the explanation.

[Welpe]

In all reality, I'd probably decline the penalty for them without giving them an option. But technically they have an option. I can't see any coach worth a spit wanting to accept that when up by 20 and playing a meaningless down.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Welpe

In all reality, I'd probably decline the penalty for them without giving them an option. But technically they have an option. I can't see any coach worth a spit wanting to accept that when up by 20 and playing a meaningless down.

No, but a mean coach might do it to clear the bench to stand on the field & watch the other team take a knee. "Now you can't say I never put you in, har, har."