Expert: Vic Winnek - 1/3/2009

Question
On a fumble recovery, a defensive player uses the ball to help himself up,
while having one knee on the ground.. I am referencing the defensive fumble
recovery for touchdown by Kentucky at the end of the Kentucky - ECU game
on January 2, 2009. Was this player down or should the touchdown stand?


Answer
Ryan,
I believe this is the play you are asking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuHR9r26aE4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFuOA3D8XgI

First and foremost this officiating crew in this game from the Big Ten Conference is excellent, each and every one of the officials is seasoned, well qualified and top officials at their positions.  The play you ask about was reviewed by the replay official.  This was the correct mechanic.  The replay official views the video feed available to him.  He looks for "undisputable video evidence" that is can affirm or over turn the ruling on the field.  If there is no indisputable (conclusive) evidence to reverse the on-field ruling,
the ruling on the field stands.

On this play it was the opinion of the officials that the defensive player's knee was not conclusively down when he gained possession of the loose ball.

Stated another way, the defensive player did not have firm control of the ball sufficient to establish player possession when his knee was touching the ground.  The players knee was coming off the ground when he achieved firm control of the ball.  Therefore technically by rule the touchdown should stand.

Had there been other video angles that conclusively showed the knee on the ground and the defensive player in control of the ball then the touchdown should have been called back.  Based on the above video links, the officials were correct with their call.  Something that is not common knowledge to the public, there of officiating philosophies [for the past 2 seasons]endorsed by the NCAA that provide a philosophy as to how such a play is officiated [called].  In order to invoke replay the philosophy is to not call the player down in that situation and allow the play to continue; then let replay review it in slow motion to determine if indeed it was a fumble, recovery and a TD or if the defensive player was down when he recovered the fumble.

Before replay and the philosophies, that play may have been called differently, but per rule under the 2008 NCAA Football Rules and the Officiating Philosophies of 2008 it is a TD.  When in question, the runner fumbled the ball and was NOT down, likewise the person recovering the ball must have clear possesson before deterining possession of a recovered fumble. (This is Reviewable) When in question, it is a touchdown. (This is Reviewable)

I hope this explain the answer for you and why the played was ruled a TD.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official

Here is a list of the Philosophies
Officiating Philosophies
CCA Coordinator’s Meeting – Final Version
To be Submitted for Consideration for 2008 Season

Line of Scrimmage

1.   Officials will work to keep offensive linemen legal and will call only when obvious or where repeated warnings are ignored.  Don’t wait till the 4th qtr to enforce rule.

2.   If the offensive player is lined up with his head clearly behind the rear end of the snapper, a foul will be called without a warning.

3.   Don’t be technical on an offensive player who is a wide receiver or slot back in determining if he is off the line of scrimmage.  When in question, it is NOT a foul.
4.   Wide receivers or slot backs lined up outside a tight end will be ruled on the line of scrimmage and covering the tight end if there is no stagger between their alignments.  If in question, he is not covered up.

5.   When in question regarding player position on movement by the defense into the neutral zone which causes the offense to move, a player is moving toward the offensive player.  This protects both that player and the two adjacent offensive players.

6.   Anytime a defensive player shoots the gap, and there is a question as to contact, err on the side of offside and shut the play down to avoid a free shot on the QB.

7.   Formations during the execution of a trick or unusual play have the highest degree of scrutiny and should be completely legal.


Pass Interference

Defensive Pass Interference

Actions that constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to the following six categories:

1.   Early contact by a defender who is Not Playing the Ball is defensive pass interference provided the other requirements for DPI have been met, regardless of how deep the pass is thrown to the receiver.

2.   Playing Through the Back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.

3.   Grabbing and Restricting a receiver’s arm(s) or body in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.

4.   Extending an arm across the body (Arm Bar) of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of the fact of whether or not the defender is looking for the ball.

5.   Cutting Off or riding the receiver out of the path to the ball by making contact with him without playing the ball.

6.   Hooking and Restricting a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving.


Offensive Pass Interference

Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to the following three categories:

1.   Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus Creating Separation in an attempt to catch a pass.

2.   Driving Thru a defender who has established a position on the field.

3.   OPI for Blocking Downfield will not be called if the passer is legally grounding the ball out of bounds or into an area where there is no player.
  

Not Offensive Pass Interference

Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

1.   OPI will not be called on a screen pass where the ball is overthrown behind the LOS but subsequently lands beyond the expanded LOS (up to 3 yds) and linemen are blocking downfield, unless such blocking prevents a defensive player from catching the ball.

2.   It is not OPI on a pick play if the defensive player is blocking the offensive player when the pick occurs and the offensive player doesn’t make a separate action.


Passing Situations

1.   Neutral zone will be expanded one yard when determining if a pass (untouched) is beyond the line.

2.   Neutral zone will be expanded one yard when determining ineligible receivers.

3.   When in question on action against the passer, it is roughing the passer if the defender’s intent is to punish.

4.   The quarterback can throw the ball anywhere if he is not under duress, except spiking the ball straight down. The clock is not a factor.  Exception: we allow for 7-3-2-d where QB spikes ball to stop clock.

5.   If the quarterback is outside the frame of the body of the normal tackle position and is throwing the ball away to avoid a sack, when in question as to whether the ball is beyond the neutral zone, it is.  Don’t be technical.

6.   If an interception is near the goal line (inside the 1-yard line) and there is a question as to whether possession is gained in the field of play or end zone, make the play a touchback.
  
7.   If the passer is legally throwing the ball away out of bounds, do not penalize the offense for having ineligible players downfield.
  
8.   If the passer is legally throwing the ball away anywhere in the field of play, do not penalize the offense for having ineligible players downfield within the expanded LOS (up to 3 yds.).

Blocking

1.   Takedowns at the POA, those in the open field, within the tackle box, and affecting the result of the play create special focus and should be called in these situations.

2.   If there is a potential offensive holding but the action occurs clearly away from the point of attack and has no (or could have no) effect on the play, offensive holding should not be called.  
     
3.   If there is a potential for defensive holding but the action occurs clearly away from the point of attack and has no (or could have no) effect on the play, defensive holding should not be called.
Example:  A defensive back on the opposite side of the field holding a wide receiver on a designed run play to the other side.

4.   For blocks in the back, if one hand is on the number and the other hand is on the side and the initial force is on the number, it is a block in the back. The force of the block could be slight and still a foul if the contact propels the player past the runner or prevents him from making the play. If the force is clearly on the side, it is not a foul.  If the blocker is in a “chase mode” all the action must be on the side.

5.   A grab of the receiver’s jersey that restricts the receiver and takes away his feet should be defensive holding if other criteria are met, and could also be DPI.

6.   Holding can be called even if the quarterback is subsequently sacked as it may be the other half of an offset foul.

7.   Illegal block in the back can still be called on fair catches, but not if the illegal block occurs away from the play as the fair catch is being made or the touchback occurs and contact is slight (personal foul type actions should always be called).
8.   Blocks in the back that are personal foul in nature should be called regardless of their timing relative to a fair catch or runner being tackled.

9.   Rarely should you have a hold on a double team block unless there is a takedown or the defender breaks the double team and is pulled back.

10.   When in question if an illegal block occurs in the EZ or field of play, it occurs in the field of play.  

Kicking

1.   The kicker’s restraining line on onside and short pooch kick-offs should be officiated as a plane and any player (other than the kicker or holder) breaking the plane before the ball is kicked should be called for offside.  For deep kick-offs, we will also use a plane, but do not be technical.

Runner Down

1.   When in question, the runner fumbled the ball and was NOT down. (Reviewable)

2.   When in question, it is a touchdown.  (Reviewable)

3.   If legal contact occurs before the runner has a foot down out-of-bounds, legal hit.

4.   Runner continuing down sideline:  If whistle has blown and player has eased up then this is a foul.  Be alert and be sure any action is not part of the initial play before calling a foul.

5.   A non-airborne runner crossing the goal inside the pylon with the ball crossing the goal line extended is a touchdown.

6.   When in question, the runner did not step out of bounds.  (Reviewable)

Miscellaneous

1.   The ball can be placed on a yard line to begin the next possession.  At all other times, the ball is placed where it is.  (Exception:  If the change of possession occurs on a 4th down, running or passing play, the ball will be left at the dead ball spot to begin the next series.)

2.   When in question on QB pass/fumble, we will rule fumble.  (Reviewable)

3.   5/5 axiom: In order to adjust the game clock when it has been running, there must be more than a 5 second differential if there is more than 5 minutes remaining in either half. Any time loss due to the clock being started erroneously, such as when a dead ball foul is called, the clock must be adjusted.  

Replay

1.   Rulings in the replay booth and rulings on the field should be based on the same philosophies.


Personal Fouls

1.   If action is deemed to be “fighting”, then the player must be disqualified.  When in question of such actions, the player is not fighting.

2.   For late hits away from the ball near the end of the play, when in question lean towards dead-ball foul rather than live-ball foul.

3.   Spitting on an opponent requires disqualification.