Punter's Protection Question

[dee-jay]

Our recent chapter meeting had quite a diverse opinion on the protection of the punter when I brought up a recent scenario. I would appreciate comments from those of you that can help clear this up. I am in Texas and officiate according to NCAA rules with UIL exceptions. Here's the situation:

A typical obvious punting situation and punt formation (punter back at least 7 yards). The punter receives the snap and just as he releases the ball towards his foot (and before he contacts the ball with his foot) he is hit hard. The ball is punted (untouched) as he goes down and the ball does cross the neutral zone.

I did not call roughing the kicker because of the NCAA definition of a kicker stating that he is not a kicker until the ball is kicked or punted. He was hit prior to the actual punt. While he was "established" as a kicker, does he deserve protection before the ball is kicked? Many of our chapter said he does deserve protection because he is in position and established as a kicker. Others saw it as I did. Others were not sure and said it's a judgement call.

What say you experts?