Punt, fair catch, return, late hit

[maven]

Yes, it was correct.

Yes, they should have (and probably did) kill it when B recovered the kick.

[brainbrian]

The referees did not kill the play when B recovered the kick. I think the A coach was trying to argue that if they did kill the play the late hit would have never occurred. Should they still enforce the late hit penalty by A2?

I found a link to the video. The play starts at 2:59:45
edit: bad link, updated link below

[maven]

Originally Posted by brainbrian

The referees did not kill the play when B recovered the kick. I think the A coach was trying to argue that if they did kill the play the late hit would have never occurred. Should they still enforce the late hit penalty by A2?

I found a link to the video. The play starts at 2:59:45
Missouri S&T vs St. Josephs College | Football | Local6A

Yes, the whistle does not make the ball dead.

The link offers access to the video for a fee.

[brainbrian]

Sorry about the bad video link. Here is the video on YouTube. The officials end up calling that the ball was recovered at the 10 yard line and due to the penalties it ends up getting spotted at the 20 yard line.

Football fair catch and return - YouTube

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by brainbrian

The referees did not kill the play when B recovered the kick. I think the A coach was trying to argue that if they did kill the play the late hit would have never occurred. Should they still enforce the late hit penalty by A2?

So the coach is saying that because his player was unaware the ball was dead because of the recovery after the fair catch -- which is very plausible -- that that should exonerate him from hitting out of bounds?!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

So the coach is saying that because his player was unaware the ball was dead because of the recovery after the fair catch -- which is very plausible -- that that should exonerate him from hitting out of bounds?!

Probably arguing the hit wouldn't have happened at all had the officials killed the play immediately.

Even if he's right, it still needs to be penalized.

[brainbrian]

Originally Posted by Adam

Probably arguing the hit wouldn't have happened at all had the officials killed the play immediately.

Even if he's right, it still needs to be penalized.

Yes, I believe that is what the coach was arguing. But thank you, this should still be penalized, got it.

As a followup question, should the time that elapsed while the returner was running with the ball after he called fair catch be put back on the clock if the officials know this time?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Adam

Probably arguing the hit wouldn't have happened at all had the officials killed the play immediately.

I'm sure the hit wouldn't've happened if the receiver had never recovered the ball either, but what you gonna do, penalize him for causing the late hit?