Is a ball carrier down by contact...

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Kajun Ref N Texas

...when he lands on an opponent who is lying on the ground, but his forward progress is not stopped?

No, he is not down.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

No, he is not down.

Oh sure, just spell it out for him.

[Kajun Ref N Texas]

Here is the rule from NCAA.

RULE 4
Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds
SECTION 1. Ball in Play—Dead Ball
Ball Declared Dead
ARTICLE 3. A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound his whistle
or declare it dead:
a. When it goes out of bounds other than a kick that scores a field goal after
touching the uprights or crossbar, when a ball carrier is out of bounds,
or when a ball carrier is so held that his forward progress is stopped.
When in question, the ball is dead (A.R. 4-2-1-II).
b. When any part of the ball carrier’s body, except his hand or foot, touches
the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses
possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his
body, except his hand or foot [Exception: The ball remains alive when
an offensive player has simulated a kick or is in position to kick the ball
held for a place kick by a teammate. The ball may be kicked, passed or
advanced by rule] (A.R. 4-1-3-I).

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Kajun Ref N Texas

b. When any part of the ball carrier’s body, except his hand or foot, touches
the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses
possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his
body, except his hand or foot

Why was the part I bolded added, and when? Seems superfluous.

[Kajun Ref N Texas]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Why was the part I bolded added, and when? Seems superfluous.

Isn't that just emphasizing that, "the ground can't cause a fumble?"

[jaybird]

"the ground can't cause a fumble?"

This is not a true statement. It is common-tater talk.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by jaybird

This is not a true statement. It is common-tater talk.

Of course, the ground can actually cause a fumble! If a guy goes airborn and the first thing to hit the ground is the ball and it pops out, the ground did cause the fumble!

I do hate it when I hear people say the ground can't cause a fumble. I know announcers have a job to do and generally they do a good job but they don't understand the rules and spread things like this too often.

[Robert Goodman]

when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses
possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his
body, except his hand or foot

Tell me if you think this is what NCAA meant when they added that part: That if there is doubt as to when the ballcarrier lost possession of the ball or touched the ground other than with hands or feet, the touching of the ground is deemed to have occurred first.