Momentum play.

[DrMooreReferee]

Let me clarify what I was getting at with this question.

If you consider the momentum exception as it is written in 8.5.2a, then there is nothing in this play to make the momentum exception go away. If that were the case, I might think that we should give the ball to B and penalize A for the illegal bat. And I suppose that we should penalize from the 3 and have 1/10 for B from their 18.

However, thats really not what I'm saying at all. I think that the intent of this rule would be compromised if we did that. I really do think that 1/10 for B from the 35 is the right thing to do.

Now that I've said this. Does anyone have anything to add?

[dumbref]

NF:

I agree with Jason TX on this one. Once B's fumble broke the plan of the GL, MO is over. His fumble put the ball back into the field of play. The basic spot becomes the GL for any foul (A or B) that occurrs during the loose ball. The result of the play is a touchback. Take you chose - 15 or 20.

[Jim D]

NF rules - Rule 8-5-2 covers the momentum play where B intercepts and either the ball becomes dead in the end zone or "it goes out of bounds in the end zone". What happens in this play? The ball is intercepted and goes out of bounds in the end zone. Sure some other stuff happened but the basic play is text book momentum rule. I would give the ball to B at the 3 and penalize A for the illegal batting from there so it would be 1 & 10 for B at B's 18.

[dumbref]

Originally Posted by Jim D

NF rules - Rule 8-5-2 covers the momentum play where B intercepts and either the ball becomes dead in the end zone or "it goes out of bounds in the end zone". What happens in this play? The ball is intercepted and goes out of bounds in the end zone. Sure some other stuff happened but the basic play is text book momentum rule. I would give the ball to B at the 3 and penalize A for the illegal batting from there so it would be 1 & 10 for B at B's 18.

I think you're correct. It becomes a matter of force. The force that caused the ball to go out of the EZ was really B's fumble and the ball is still in B's team possession. Therefore MO still applies.

I guess the only way to rule otherwise, a new force by A would have to be applied and that was not stated in this situation. My bad!

I think we all agree in game, B will start on the 20.

[Jim D]

"I think we all agree in game, B will start on the 20."

I think/hope you mean B will start on the 18. The momentum exception puts them on the 3 and then we had a 15 penalty for the illegal batting so it's 1 & 10 for B at their own 18.

[rdfox]

B will start from the 20 because they will turn down the penalty.

There had to have been a new force for the fumble had rolled (i.e. already on the ground) to B's 5 and then the illegal bat put it back into the EZ. B can have the ball at the 18 by accepting the penalty or at the 20 by declining it.

[Jim D]

RD Fox, I disagree. B's choices are 1 & 10 on the 18 if they accept the penalty of 1 & 10 on the 3 if they decline. They cannot get a touchback on this play. See 8-5-2.