Iowa-Florida Onside Kick Offside Ruling

[BoBo]

Live in Iowa and no I am not a Hawkeye fan (Go Sooners!)

Anyway late in the game they try an onside kick. Iowa recovers the ball but is called for offsides.

On the replay it clearly shows that the Iowa football player has not actually broken the plane AND touched the ground physically with his foot.

Now my question is it offsides if the player breaks the plane of the free kick line with just his body but not touching the ground. I am trying to justify the call as it being the same as player lining up with his head over the line of the scrimmage (breaking the plane) but the rest of his body is okay.

I am doing a poor job of explaining this. Everybody in the sports bar was asking our crew and we all laughed and said it really never came down to that exact of question.

Most of us I will guess will toss the flag when the player actually has stepped across the line and is clearly out ahead of the kicker.

I do not know if it is different in Fed compared to NCAA.

My biggest gripe with the Hawkeye fans or probably any fan was the old "How can you make that call at that point of the game."

My response if it is a foul it is a foul no matter when it occurs.

Any commments appreciated.