Down after penalty enforcement

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Welpe

There's nothing in the book that supports their assertion. You can't go with "what could be", only what is.

Quite simply, if the actual penalty does not bring the ball beyond the line to gain, it's not a first down.

^This^

The only time a new series can be awarded to A without A being in possession of the ball beyond the line to gain at the end of a down is following the enforcement of a penalty which includes an automatic first-down or following a down during which there is a change of possession (or more specifically at least 2 changes of possession with A having possession at the end of the down).

ps: if anyone points out situations in which "A" is awarded a new series following a change of possession following a kick (free or scrimmage), I didn't include those because we use the designations K and R for kicking situations. K or R is awarded a new series (depending on who is entitled to possession) at the end of a kicking situation and becomes A at that point.