I see this as a key element being taught or seems to be taught at the HS and more so at the NCAA level, that being strip the ball from the runner.
If the runner looses possession, I see no way the rules committee will support a change because of a good defensive play by the defense.

Fumbles into and out of the EZ should not be changed. We have too many exceptions as there is and a change like this envoles more judgement by the official on an otherwise easy call to make. I say, leave it alone.

I totally agree!

I think that mistakes near the goal line <i>should</i> cost you more than mistakes made elsewhere - the goal lines are what the game is all about.

Also, if you have the ball, your first responsibility is to protect it. If an offense fumbles or has the ball stripped, it deserves whatever bad stuff comes of it.

I saw the exact play described in a HS playoff game a couple of years ago.

B intercepts A's pass on B's 40 yard line and fumbles the ball on the 3 yard line going in and the ball goes through the end zone. Ball awarded back to A on the 20 yard line by rule.

This seemed unfair to me at the time and still seems to be a mystery on giving the ball back to the other team as the penalty for fumbling through the EZ. I would propose that a fumble through the endzone is a touchback but the ball given back to the fumbling team 1st down on the 20 yard line going in.

It seems like an unfair advantage for one team for the ball squirting straight ahead instead of out of bounds, left or right.

And this just happened last Saturday. Tennessee vs Alabama. T was running into his EZ, when A comes from behind and punches the ball out. Goes out the EZ. Both officials were clearly signalling TB.

REPLY: Rick...at whose 20 yard line would you propose awarding the new series? At the fumbling team's 20 (80 yards back), or at their opponent's 20? In either case, you couldn't properly call it a TB unless you completely revamped the TB rule.

Personally, I agree with Roamin' Umpire. When you fumble the ball nearly everything that can ultimately happen is bad for you. And that's the way it should be. I'm for keeping it a TB and awarding the ball to the opponent of the fumbling team.

Bob - You are correct it could not be called a touchback. To change the rule it would have to be changed to some sort of penalty, much like a kickoff going out of bounds, which gets confusing. Anyway I guess part of football is being lucky and that is what happens with that play.