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College Football/RE: college football overtime interception

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Expert: - 12/31/2008


Question
Dear Sir,

If, in college football overtime, the defending team intercepts a pass and runs it back for a score, do they need to go all the way to the other team's endzone, or just to the 25 yard line, in order to score?  My dad thinks that in overtime, the field is shortened to 25 yards and that a "touchdown" can be scored at the 25 yard line if a pass is intercepted.  I think that the interception would need to be run all the way back to the endzone.  Please help.  Thanks!

Answer
Dolores

You are correct. To score the the defensive team MUST take the ball in player possession across the Goal line of their opponents' end zone.

The field is not shortened, rather the ball is put into play at the 25 yardline which shortens the distance the offense must travel to score in OT.

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Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

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Vic Winnek

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

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