Expert: Vic Winnek - 10/8/2008

Question
We had a situation in our conference last Saturday.  In OT, Team 1 scores a TD and extra point to go up by 7.  In the second series, Team 1 (on defense) intercepts a pass and returns for a TD.  Does this score count?  In other words, would they win by 13?

Answer
Dennis,
Didn't I answer this question for you before?  Or was it a different Dennis? Yes the score counts and Team B wins by 13 points.

OT consists of 2 series with each team putting the ball in play by a snap on the 25 yard line [barring a penalty enforcement].  Each team retains the ball during the series until it scores or fails to make a first down.  The ball remains alive after a change of possession [fumble or interception] until it is declared dead.  Team A may not have 1st & 10 again if it possess the ball again after a change of possession [A-B-A].

If Team B intercepts a pass, or recovers a fumble or backward pass or blocks a Team A field Goal[other than on a Try] and scores a TD the OT Period and game ends.  In your situation Team B intercepts a pass and returns for a TD.  THe ball is declared dead once Team B crosses the goal line.  They are awarded 6 points for the TD, thus Team B has scored a total of 13 points in OT.

DENNIS, HERE IS SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THE OVER TIME RULES.  HOPE YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL.  The following is the rule from the NCAA Rulebook:

Extra Periods

ARTICLE 3. The NCAA tiebreaker system will be used when a game is tied after four periods. NCAA football-playing rules apply, with the following exceptions:

a. Immediately after the conclusion of the fourth quarter, officials will instruct both teams to retire to their respective team areas. The officials will assemble at the 50-yard line and review the tiebreaker procedures.

b. The officials will escort the captains (Rule 3-1-1) to the center of the field for the coin toss. The referee shall toss a coin at midfield in the presence of no more than four field captains from each team and another
game official, first designating the field captain of the visiting team to call the coin toss. The winner of the toss shall choose one of the following options:
1. Offense or defense, with the offense at the opponents 25-yard line to start the first series.
2. Which end of the field shall be used for both series of that overtime period.  Note: The winner of the toss may not defer his choice.

c. The loser of the toss shall exercise the remaining option for the first extra period and shall have the first choice of the two options for subsequent even-numbered extra periods.

d. Extra periods: An extra period shall consist of two series with each team putting the ball in play by a snap on or between the inbounds lines on the designated 25-yard line, which becomes the opponent’s 25-yard line.  The snap shall be from midway between the inbounds lines on the 25-yard line, unless a different position on or between the inbounds lines is selected before the ready-for-play signal. After the ready-for-play signal, the ball may be relocated after a charged team timeout, unless preceded by a Team A foul or offsetting penalties.

e. Team series: Each team retains the ball during a series until it scores or fails to make a first down. The ball remains alive after a change of team possession until it is declared dead. However, Team A may not have a first and 10 if it again possesses the ball after a change of team possession. Team A and B designations are the same as defined in Rule 2-27-1.

EXAMPLES:
1. After each team has put the ball in play by snap at the beginning of its series, the score is tied or there has been no score. RULING: Begin the second extra period with the loser of the toss at the beginning of the first extra period having the choice of the two options.

2. Other than on the try, Team B intercepts a pass or fumble for a touchdown or recovers a fumble or a backward pass and scores a touchdown. RULING: Period and game are ended, and Team B is the winner.

3. During the first series of a period, Team B intercepts a pass or fumble or recovers a fumble or a backward pass and does not score a touchdown. RULING: Team A series is ended and Team B, which becomes Team A, starts its series of that period.

4. During the first series of a period, Team A attempts a field goal and the kick is blocked. Team A recovers the kick, which never was beyond the neutral zone, and runs for a touchdown. RULING: Six points for Team A, and Team B begins its series of the period after the try.

5. Team A attempts a field goal and the kick is blocked. Team A recovers the kick, which never was beyond the neutral zone, and runs for a first down. RULING: Team A’s ball, first and 10.

6. Team A attempts a field goal on first, second or third down, and the kick is blocked. Team A recovers the kick, which never crossed the neutral zone, and does not gain a first down. RULING: Team A’s ball, next down.

7. Team A attempts a field goal and the kick is blocked. Team B recovers the kick and runs it into Team A’s end zone. RULING: Touchdown, game is ended.

8. During the first series of a period, Team B—after gaining possession—loses possession to Team A, which scores a touchdown. RULING: The score counts, and Team B begins its series of the period after the try.

9. During the first series of a period, Team B—after gaining possession—loses possession to Team A, which fails to score a touchdown. RULING: Team A series is ended, and Team B begins its series of that period.

10. During the first series of a period, Team A fumbles into Team B’s end zone on second down of a series. Team B recovers and downs the ball in its end zone. RULING: Team A series of that period is ended. Team B series of the period begins.

11. During the first series of a period, B10 intercepts a forward pass on his three-yard line and downs the ball in his end zone (no momentum involved). RULING: Score two points for Team A. Team A’s series is over. Team B will put the ball in play, first and 10 on the 25-yard
line at the same end of the field.

12. Team A’s field-goal attempt is untouched beyond the neutral zone until it is muffed by B17 at the five-yard line. A75 recovers at the three-yard line. RULING: First down for Team A at the three-yard line.

f. Scoring: The team scoring the greater number of points during the regulation and extra periods shall be declared the winner. There shall be an equal number of series, as defined in (e) above, in each extra period, except if Team B scores during a period other than on the try. Beginning with the third extra period, teams scoring a touchdown must attempt a two-point try. A one-point try by Team A (although not illegal) will not score a point.

EXAMPLES:
1. On the first possession of a period, Team A scores a touchdown. On the try, Team B intercepts a pass and returns it for a two-point touchdown. RULING: Team B is awarded the ball on the 25-yard line to start its series of the period with the overtime score 6-2.

2. If a touchdown is scored that determines the winning team in an extra period, the try is canceled.

g. Fouls after a change of team possession:
1. Distance penalties by either team are declined by rule in extra periods (Exceptions: Dead-ball fouls and live-ball fouls penalized as dead-ball fouls are enforced on the succeeding play).

2. A score by a team committing a foul during the down is canceled.

3. If there are offsetting fouls, whether one or both occur after Team B possession, the down is not replayed.

EXAMPLES:
1. After the end of the first series of a period by Team A, Team B commits a dead-ball foul. RULING: Team B starts its series on the 40-yard line, first and 10.

2. During the first series of a period, Team A passes and a Team A back is illegally in motion during the down. The pass is intercepted, and Team B commits a foul before scoring a touchdown. RULING: Score not allowed. The series is ended, and Team B begins its series on the 25-yard line.

3. During the second series of a period, Team B intercepts a pass and runs for a touchdown. During the run, Team B clips at midfield. RULING: Nullify the score, and if the score is tied, the next period will start with first and 10 at the 25-yard line.

4. During the first series of an extra period, B37 intercepts a forward pass and has a clear field to the goal line when he makes an obscene gesture toward the nearest opponent. Ruling: Team B’s score is canceled and Team B begins its series on the 40-yard line (Rules 3-
1-3 and 3-1-3-g-1, 2).

h. Timeouts: Each team shall be allowed one timeout for each extra period. Timeouts not used during the regulation periods may not be carried over into the extra period(s). Unused extra-period timeouts may not be carried over to other extra periods. Timeouts between periods shall be charged to the succeeding period.

Radio and television timeouts are permitted only between extra periods (first and second, second and third, etc.). Charged team timeouts may not be extended for radio and television purposes. The extra period(s) begins when the ball is first snapped.

I realize this is an extensive answer, I hope you find it helpful and informative.  Please feel free to print it and keep it for your references when watching Over Time College games.

Best of luck to you.  Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Victor C. Winnek
NCAA Football Official