Inadvertant 5 yard facemask in the Offense...

[TXMike]

Not only bizarre but wrong if done in Texas HS football. All FM fouls by offense are 15 yarders regardless of severity.

[MJT]

Most often on the runner trying to stiff arm.

I know that is the NCAA rule, Mike, but why? If there is not twist or turn, why 15 automatically. Any rationale that you know of?

[TXMike]

Best logic I have ever heard is that we expect the defenders to be using their hands more than the offensive guys, (especially if you think back to the days when they were not even allowed t block with their hands). So if a defender grasps the FM, we are only hitting him for 5 but since offensive guys should not be up there in the 1st place, and should not be grasping anything in the 2d place, they get no break.