Forward Progress on Pass Play

[Bob M.]

REPLY: I agree with most...A's 30.

Interesting discussion on McGriff's board that I had heard once before. Elvis (NCAA) posted that he had asked Adams, the NCAA Rules Editor, about forward progress in general. Adams offered that forward progress is only applicable if the runner is moving forward. Consider: 1st & 10 on A's 20. QB A11 retreats from the neutral zone (toward his goal line) while looking for a receiver. Under pressure and unable to throw a pass, he is still retreating at A's 5 where he is pushed by B77, causing him to stumble and fall into A's end zone. The ball is in his possession and behind A's goal line when his knee touches the ground. RULING (Adams): Safety. Since the QB was moving backward, a consideration of forward progress is immaterial. In fact, Adams added that if the QB were standing still when contacted, the ruling would be the same—safety. Everyone pretty much agreed that no one calls it like this. Everyone gives the ball to A at A's 2 where B's contact first occurred. A Big-12 referee offered a good benchmark: when the runner loses his feet and no longer has the ability to drive ahead for more yardage, that's when the ball is dead.