Theory behind the muffed punt...?

[jjrye22]

I would really like to read a book of the development of the game and it's rules...
I was thinking maybe this rule about not being allowed to advance a muffed punt could come from rugby, and there is something similar.

I was checking the web, and if I understood the 'Law' correctly, when a player tries to catch a kick, and muffs it forward, the play is stopped and a scrum is awarded (no one gains an advantage)

Now that is just from my very limited knowledge and 5 minutes of research on the web. Maybe someone here is a rugby ref and can correct me...

James