In this question and answer isn't guard A78 beyond the expanded neutral zone when he catches this pass?

Play Situation 6
Immediately after spending their last time out, A has the ball at the 24 yard line of B, trailing by four points on second down and 7 with three seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback A12 under heavy pressure intends to throw a desperation pass to the end zone but is off balance on his release. The forward pass instead sails high, untouched in the air towards the neutral zone where offensive guard A78 catches it at B's twenty yard line and advances beyond B's goal line.

Play Situation 6 answer
This is a strange one, but it has happened! Rule 7-5-13 tells us that it is illegal touching if an ineligible A player touches a forward pass in or behind the neutral zone and B has not first touched it.
In order for the touchdown to be nullified B must accept the 5 yard, loss of down penalty. Since the clock has expired on the play, A will be awarded an untimed down because of the accepted penalty rule 3-3-3a. It will be third and twelve for A at the B 29 yard line.

Yes, what's your point though?

My point I guess is that, isn't it offensive pass interferance and not the ruling listed

I'm a relative newbie, so think I'll take a crack.
It is not pass intereference as the ineligible is in or behind the neutral zone. Now if the ineligible is beyond the neutral zone, I am thinking it is OPI and would also be ineligible downfield.

Texoma you're thinking the right way
 

If the ball is touched by an ineligible down field it is OPI (FED 7-5-10b)

If the ball is not touched by an ineligible, then you merely have an ineligible down field (FED 7-5-12)

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My3sons, this rule 7-5-13 is the correct ruling in the play provided in Mr. Hayes article.

In this play if A78 is beyond the neutral zone. Then 7-5-10b applies. No B player has touched the ball, wouldn't that be pass interferance. I am going by Table 7-5. Just trying to understand this rule.

It is OPI beyond the neutral zone, illegal touching in or behind.

In the situation, A78 was beyond the expanded neutral zone. Therefore, the correct call is OPI. A would have 3rd and 22 from B's 39 for one untimed down.

I read this statement as the ball is caught in or behind the neutral zone. I believe that is Mr. Hayes intent.

Why not send him a note? His email is posted at the bottom of the article.

Sounds like A78 caught past the NZ..... LOS =24 he catches at 20? OPI in my opinion. BTW, does the rule include the ENZ, or just the NZ for OPI versus touching?

How is it caught in or behind the neutral zone when it clearly states B's 20 yard line?

I sent an e-mail to Darin a couple of days ago. I am waiting for his reply.

REPLY: As written, this is OPI. And to answer a question posed above, it is OPI if an ineligible A player touches a forward pass beyond the <b>neutral zone</b> before a player of B has touched it.

I agree. As written, this is OPI. 15 yards from previous spot, LOSS OF DOWN, and A gets one untimed down. Now - If this had been 4th down, would "A" get an untimed down, or would they have lost that right.

B would get one untimed down if this were the case.