lineman downfield
 

NCAA this past weekend... I believe I saw 3 different play ( two games ) in the Big 10 where big bad linemen were 20 - 30 yards downfield when the ball was in the backfield ! Did anyone else take notice ?

and the ball was thrown beyond the line of scrimmage?

play 1 - starts off a pass play, the quarterback is flushed out of the pocket and begins running towards the sideline. As he approaches the LOS he passes the ball forward approx 7 yards past the LOS. The catch is made and the runner now heads downfield. B's safety is being blocked by # 68 25 yards downfield from the LOS.

Play 2 - Same as above only different game and different numbers

Play 3 - same game as play 1 but instead of passing the ball forward, the quarterback keeps the ball and runs downfield for a 35 yd gain. He was helped by a lineman blocking the linebacker about 20 yards downfield. The linebacker was backpeddling until the quarterback got flushed and committed to the run.

Plays 1 and 2-ineligible downfield. Play 3-lucky lineman who owes the quarterback a drink!

Play 3 is legal as you can only be an ineligible downfield on a pass play where the pass goes beyond the line of scrimmage.

I'll take your word on 1 and 2 and say that yes, this would describe a foul.

A lineman can run a post pattern as long as a pass doesn't cross the LOS.

I'm sorry, I just cannot see this happening in a D-1 major college game, and here is why.
If you work college ball, and a 7-man crew, you know that the wings and deep officials will never have more than one player as a key. There are only 5 eligible receivers out there and they are going to easily see if there are more than five in a routes. The U would definitely notice the lineman downfield, as he steps to the LOS and IDF's is one of his #1 jobs. Also, the H and L stay on the LOS and would most likely see a lineman go downfield.

I'd have to see a video to believe that it was #68, and not an eligible number who was downfield. Especially if he was blocking 20 yards downfield just after the catch cuz they'd see that also.