Blocked Punt past neutral zone

[ilyazhito]

Based on the OP, the kick was blocked, but then R muffed the ball 15 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage. This means that the ball was beyond the expanded neutral zone, and thus R's muff cannot be ignored for the purposes of first touching. Therefore, K has legally recovered the ball.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

Based on the OP, the kick was blocked, but then R muffed the ball 15 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage. This means that the ball was beyond the expanded neutral zone, and thus R's muff cannot be ignored for the purposes of first touching. Therefore, K has legally recovered the ball.

What I am saying is the blocked punt does not change the status of the play. I am going to assume that that was put in because there was some debate over the status when that happened. And it does matter again if the ball was blocked behind or in the expanded NZ. Unlike a pass, that touch is ignored if it takes place there.

Peace

[ilyazhito]

If the muff was beyond the neutral zone, K is allowed to legally recover and possess the ball, without there being first touching (illegal touching in NCAA rules). The other exception to illegal touching is if there is an accepted penalty against R during the play, and R would not be next to put the ball in play.