Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/9/2008

Question
During the October 3rd, 2008 game between Texas and Colorado, a Colorado player started to casually walk a kickoff out of the end zone.  It appeared his forward progress was stopped less than a yard out of the end zone, but the replay showed the ball never made it entirely out.  Colorado was awarded a touchback, and took over on the 20.

If the Colorado player never downed the ball, the official never whistled the play dead, and the player didn't make it out of the end zone, why wasn't Texas awarded a safety and Colorado forced to kick the ball back to Texas?

Answer
Mike, hello!

In these judgment calls, the official could be wrong.  However, in yur description, the official was correct.  The ball has to move completely out of the end zone.  It would have been ruled a safety had the ball left the end zone and had he re-entered the end zone.
It sounds like a perfect call.

It is awesome that you paid such close attention to the game.  I have found the fans see the game one way, the Coaches, the players, and the officials see another game being played.  Like looking through a prism, there are 4 different games being played!

Have a great day,

Thom Brooks