Texas vs Cal near last play

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I find the idea that the ball was not picked up immediately to be very suspect. It was under 3 seconds from when it was dropped, and picked up by the 3rd guy by - the first two were passing the ball as it landed.

If I'm reading the rule right (please tell me if I'm not), it would go to the spot of the fumble if it was not recovered immediately after it stopped. The moment that it stopped was milliseconds before it was picked up. It was rolling from the moment it landed until just BARELY before it was picked up.

Had the ball been declared dead because of no immediate recovery, it would have been a touchdown for A.


AR 8-2-1-X

Ball carrier A33 is running toward the Team B goal line. He drops the ball just inside the one-yard line and, thinking he has scored a touchdown, circles through the end zone and runs to his team area. There is no touchdown signal by any official. The fumbled ball hits the ground just outside or just inside the goal line, rolls along the ground in the end zone, and is declared dead there when it comes to rest and no player attempts to recover it. RULING: Touchdown. The ball belongs to the team last in possession at the dead-ball spot. By definition an awarded fumble in the opponent’s end zone is a touchdown. (Rule 7-2-5)

[MD Longhorn]

OK. This is why I wanted the opinion of impartial officials. Thanks guys.

(And PS - in no way do I think this cost Texas the game. Punting with less than 2 minutes to go cost Texas the game. Giving up 50 freaking points cost Texas the game. Etc.)