Darin Hayes Question #6

[my3sons]

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.