First Touching or......

[MJT]

Originally Posted by PaulJak

So it would seem that these two rules are in conflict with each other.

In this case, R has not first touched, so by 5-1-4 K has recovered behind the NZ and advanced.

But, 6-2-5 would seem to give R options since K first touched in this case.

So which rule takes precedence? Do you take the events in order of occurance? First touching proceeded K's recovery and advance.

I believe that the first touching by K should probably give R its choice of options, kind of like when K first touches and then R fumbles later in the run back. Even if K recovers R has the option of going back to the spot of 1st touching.

PaulJak, you are confused. Since R did NOT touch the ball beyond the NZ the ball will NOT belong to K at the end of the down, 5-1-4
R has the option of taking the ball at first touching, 6-2-5.

There is no conflict here. 6-2-5 states what happens if there is first touching and 5-1-4 states what happens if there is no first touching and the ball comes back behind the NZ.