Dead ball?

[ref59405]

We have been discussing this at our study club for 2 weeks now, and we are getting nowhere, so I thought I would ask for help. Quarterback is scrambling behind the line of scrimmage when he gets hit on his left side. He leans over, and with the ball in his right hand, he touches the ground with the ball. We blow it dead. The coach goes crazy, telling me that it is not a dead ball. He said, "It is not any different than if a ball is loose on the ground and someone picks it up. Touching the ball while it is on the ground is not a dead ball."
I know the rule book says a runner is down if any part of his body, other than his hand or foot comes in contact with the ground. But what about the ball?
Thank you very much for your help.
Alan

[Edited by ref59405 on Sep 13th, 2004 at 01:08 PM]