Working through the CCA Test: #100

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by Sleeper
Here is the question:

Fourth and 12 on the B-48 yard line. A punt bounces at the B-14 yard line, rolls to the B-4 yard line where A18 muffs it. B31 picks up the ball at the B-2 yard line and runs to the B-45 yard line where he is hit and fumbles. A62 recovers and is downed at the B-44 yard line. During B31's run, B56 illegally blocked A45 in the back above the waist at the B-20 yard line and B94 clipped A8 at the B-40 yard line.

Here is my stab at it (NCAA):

Team A ball at the B 25, 1st and 10, unless A declines the penalty, then B ball at the 4 for illegal touching.

What a challenge for a referee. Here is the NFHS version.

1) At B's 4 A18 muff is first touching violation -- drop a bean bag.

2) B commits illegal block in the back above the waist at B's 20. Drop a flag.

3) B commits a clip at B's 40. Drop a flag.

4) B31 fumbles at B's 45 -- drop a bean bag.

5) At conclusion of play I would call both captains. Captain A to make a choice and B to hear the choices since this is complicated.

6) The conversation goes something like this;
"Captain A, if you want the ball you must decline the two penalties against B."

I would stop the explanation there because he will never hear the remainder of the conversation, anyway. A gets the ball if the penalty is declined because in order to penalize B they must retain possession since a change of possession occurs after the foul.

7) A good Ed Hochuli-type explanation goes something like this to explain all the cloth scattered on the field.

"We have multiple fouls against B. A block in the back and a clip. These fouls occurred before change of possession gave the ball to A. In order for A to retain possession, by rule, A must decline the penalties against B. Therefore, both penalties are declined. First down for A at B's 44."

BTW. The first touching is ignored since B took possession.