triple foul question

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by bniu

Defense was offside, offense commits holding, defense commits pass interference. Two penalties against the defense, one against the offense. Does this still offset?

Yes they do. Live ball fouls by both teams without a change of possession will offset.

Another question, offense commits holding, throws an interception, defense returns the ball, illegal block in the back on the return, defense fumbles the ball, offense recovers the fumble, starts to advance it and commits another holding foul. What's the ruling here?

The fouls will offset and the down will be replayed.

[Texas Aggie]

offense commits holding, throws an interception, defense returns the ball, illegal block in the back on the return

If you stopped right here, the Defense, as you put it, would have the option to decline the holding penalty and have their penalty enforced and keep the ball. However, the exception only exists for the team last gaining possession, and they must be "clean" prior to gaining possession.

The only other thing to remember is that any penalty may be declined. There are a few very narrow situations where fouls by both team have penalties that are declined and the result of the play stands. These are basically once a decade situations for officials but they have happened.

Note also that the NFL has different rules than Fed and NCAA do.

[Adam]

Defense does not have clean hands here. They won't be able to keep the ball unless for some reason the offense declines the "offsides". Replay the down.

In fed, this play was over before it started.