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College Football/Downed punt w/in one yard line

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Expert: - 1/8/2009


Question
I have looked everywhere and asked everybody, but I cannot find an answer.  You are my last hope. Here goes - a couple of nights ago, during a NCAA college bowl game, team A punted and a member of team A downed the ball between the 1 yard line and the goal line.  He had full possession, laying on his stomach and no part of his body or the ball touched the goal line.  The commentators remarked on what a great punt and downing of the ball it was. The ball was downed outside of the hashmarks (near the sideline).  After the play and comments, TV cut to commercial.  After the commercial, the refs had placed the ball about 2 yards forward, in the middle of the field, on the hashmark, where the ball would normally be placed for a PAT.  The commentators didn't mention a thing. Am I ignorant of some esoteric NCAA rule, or did the refs make a mistake? Thanks in advance.

Answer
Robert
I have not been able to find the video clip of the play you describe.  I suspect the reason the ball was placed at the 2 yardline is because there may have been an illegal touching by the kicking team at the 2 yardline before the kick was recovered at the 1 yardline.  Under your description the ball may be placed where recovered and declared dead which would be about the 1 yardline.  Butsince the ball was placed about the 2 yardline  It may have touched by Team A at that spot.  If that is the case Team B has the choice to put the ball into play at the spot it was first touched or "illegally touched" by team A or where the ball became dead in Team A's possession.

Victor Winnek

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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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