referee trivia......

[idontlikerocks]

Kentucky facing West Virginia in the Taco Bell WeShareABorder Bowl. Kentucky has the ball on its 5 yard line and is punting from the end zone. The kick is clean and sails way way high beyond the 5 yard line striking a West Virginia defender on the helmet at the 6 yard line, and thence rebounding back into the end zone where the Kentucky punter grabs it and manages to run it out to the Kentucky 1 yard line. Whats the call?

[Bigcrank23]

I would say Kentucky ball, 1st and 10 at there own 1 yard line

[ShamsWoof10]

I would agree 1st and 10 for Ky. at their own 1...

[pokernut9999]

West Virginia's ball. Kick would have to go past the original first down marker which could not have been the 6 yard line.

[ShamsWoof10]

West Virginia's ball. Kick would have to go past the original first down marker which could not have been the 6 yard line.

I believe you are incorrect! Let me explain...

He specified the 6 yard line for a reason... If the ball is touch by the other team BEHIND the line of scrimmage as in a blocked punt then if the punting team recovers it's still the Defenses ball unless the punting team picks it up and advances it pasts the first down marker... It does not matter if it is 1 yard or 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage...

If the ball is touched PAST the line of scrimmage by 1 yard or 50 yards it's the same thing... It is as if the punt returner had it hit off his head or whatever and the punting team recovers...

In this case the distance is tricking you...

[pokernut9999]

What is the difference between a punt or fg ? not arguing as I have no idea on either one. Block a fg over the line of scrimmage not the same thing as blocking a punt ?

[idontlikerocks]

here is a deceiving but true hint: rule 6-3-3: When a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone touches a player of the receiving team who is inbounds, any player may catch or recover the ball.

[LT Profits]

Kentucky ball at the 20-YARD LINE!

The West Virginia player touched the ball but never possessed it, making it a muff and not a fumble. The Kentucky player recovered legally in the end zone, but since a muff cannot be advanced, it stays in the end zone for a touchback.

[ShamsWoof10]

Kentucky ball at the 20-YARD LINE!

The West Virginia player touched the ball but never possessed it, making it a muff and not a fumble. The Kentucky player recovered legally in the end zone, but since a muff cannot be advanced, it stays in the end zone for a touchback.

Well the muff is a good point although I don't believe a ball "striking" a player would be consider a muff as he has to attempt to make a catch...

Anyway if this is a muff then it would be Ky. ball 1st and 10 on the 6 NOT the 20 because on a muff the ball is spotted at the point of the muff and can not be advanced...

I still say Ky. 1st and 10 at the 1

[LT Profits]

Shams,

I believe the muff rule is that the ball can't be advanced from the point where it is recovered, not where it is initially touched. And although the player did not make an attempt to catch the ball, I think the muff rule would still apply just as if the punt went further downfield and took a funny bounce and hits a player on the receiving team that is trying to get out of the way (as opposed to making an attempt on the ball).

I must say that this is an excellent question.

[ShamsWoof10]

Shams,

I believe the muff rule is that the ball can't be advanced from the point where it is recovered, not where it is initially touched. And although the player did not make an attempt to catch the ball, I think the muff rule would still apply just as if the punt went further downfield and took a funny bounce and hits a player on the receiving team that is trying to get out of the way (as opposed to making an attempt on the ball).

I must say that this is an excellent question.

You may be correct in the fact that it would be marked where it was recovered not where it was initially muffed... I don't know 100% that a muff is the same as the ball making contact with a player from the recieving team... I would say a muff only applies when a "catch" is muffed but I don't know for sure...

[idontlikerocks]

heres another hint: rule 6-3-6 a: If a player of the kicking team catches or recovers a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone, the ball becomes dead.

[LT Profits]

So is it a touchback or a safety?

[ShamsWoof10]

heres another hint: rule 6-3-6 a: If a player of the kicking team catches or recovers a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone, the ball becomes dead.

KY. ball 1st and 10 at the 20 as LT said... This is IF the ball is dead in the endzone once it is touched...

[pokernut9999]

The suspense is killing me, what is the correct ruling !!!!!

[Bigcrank23]

heres another hint: rule 6-3-6 a: If a player of the kicking team catches or recovers a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone, the ball becomes dead.

Does the dead ball rule still count if a player on the returning team is the first to touch it as you stated in the original question?

[idontlikerocks]

Does the dead ball rule still count if a player on the returning team is the first to touch it as you stated in the original question?

yes , provided the ball has crossed the neutral zone and the receiving team has not established possession.

[idontlikerocks]

last rule. rule 8-5-1a: It is a safety when the ball becomes dead in the possession of a player on or behind his own goal line (or becomes dead by rule) and the defending team is responsible for the ball being there.

ANSWER: SAFETY