What's the call?

[kentref]

K16 punts the ball over deep receiver R12's head, R12 retreats quickly and picks up the bouncing ball at B's 3 yard line, but he is unable to keep from going into the end zone. About 2 yards deep in the end zone, he turns and starts out, but he loses possession of the ball while still in the end zone. The ball bounces out into the field of play where it is muffed by K22 into and out of the end zone.

NFHS ruling?

Does the ruling change if R12 gets out to the 2 yard line before he loses possession of the ball?

[Theisey]

touchback both cases.

[MJT]

Originally posted by Theisey
touchback both cases.

I agree Theisey, BUT to add a twist, what if the fumble on the 2 went backwards and then ended up dead in R's EZ or went out of the EZ.

[Theisey]

While were at it, why not add that twist to the first play as well.

"R"s fumble from within his own EZ goes into the field of play and rebounds back into the EZ where (A) it becomes dead there in Rs possession or (B) becomes dead with no one in possession or (C) continues to roll OOB from the EZ.

[MJT]

Originally posted by Theisey
While were at it, why not add that twist to the first play as well.

"R"s fumble from within his own EZ goes into the field of play and rebounds back into the EZ where (A) it becomes dead there in Rs possession or (B) becomes dead with no one in possession or (C) continues to roll OOB from the EZ.

How does it rebound back into the EZ? Off of someone, or just weird bouncing of the ball?

[Theisey]

Come on, play along.
Remember that footballs are really prolated spheriods. They take some weird bounces on some of our wonderfully manicured football fields.
OK, lets say it hit a divot in the field.

[kentref]

Originally posted by Theisey
While were at it, why not add that twist to the first play as well.

"R"s fumble from within his own EZ goes into the field of play and rebounds back into the EZ where (A) it becomes dead there in Rs possession or (B) becomes dead with no one in possession or (C) continues to roll OOB from the EZ.

Assuming the ball hits a divot and goes back in the end zone:
In (a) I'd say a safety because the ball was clearly out of the end zone and the force that put it back in the end zone was the fumble.
In (b), also a safety because the ball belongs to the team last in possession which would be R.
In (c), also a safety.
If R is the home team, the coach is looking for a new groundskeeper