Punt return boondoggle
 

Friday night high school game in Kansas. Team A punting. Punt hits A cover man on shoulder pad at 20 yard line. Team B catches ball in the air at the 24, returning it to the 35 where he fumbles the ball which is recovered by team A at the 37. Official signals first down Team A at the 37. Then Team B coach confers with the officials and ball is placed at 24, first down B. No electronic communication at this location for an explanation of what the ruling was by the official.. We thought it was downed by touching when it hit Team A cover man. Can someone here enlighten me?

If the Team A "cover man" is beyond the expanded neutral zone when the ball hits him, that is the spot of first touching. Team B can take the ball at that spot, even though they fumbled it later.

Even if the Ref would have had a microphone everyone still wouldn't have had a clue about "first touching!"

Only if that spot is the only spot touched. Remember we have to bean bag every other spot no matter how insignificant they are to the reality of where we are going to put the ball. :p

Peace

Punt Return boondoggle
 

The bottom line is they(crew) got it correct. Good Job! With or without mic, fans would have no clue....maybe even some other coaches would be clueless!!!.

Again ... I don't do FED, but isn't the correct spot for the ball the 20 and not the 24?

Good catch MB. K first touched at the 20. (Note for JR: This was the only spot of first touching in the OP). R gets the ball at the 20.