During todays Penn State vs. Michigan State game - Fourth period -Penn State has the ball third and 7 and are flagged for illegal motion . On their previous series of downs they were flagged for a 5 yd. motion penalty . Both of these plays were allowed to continue until the ball became dead . I thought the motion penalty is a dead ball foul and the play should not have continued . Whoever threw the flag should have been blowing the whistle . Am I wrong ?

Yes, you're wrong. Illegal motion isn't a foul until the ball is snapped. Therefore, it can't be a dead ball foul.

Think about it Joe. If all players are motionless at the snap, would you have illegal motion? So, if two offensive players are moving, and they both stop (for one second) prior to the snap, would you have illegal motion?

Bob

Good way to look at it.

In part 2, if they didn't both stop for one second, you would have an illegal shift, not illegal motion.