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College Football/ineligible man downfield

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Expert: - 1/9/2009


Question
Hi, I have a question stemming from the national championship game between Oklahoma and Florida. Florida seems to run a kind of 'new age' option attack that prominently features a shovel pass to exploit defensive over-pursuit on the perimeter. On at least two occasions in the NC game Florida went to the underneath shovel pass, both times picking up important first downs. On both occasions, however, a Florida offensive lineman was about 15 yards upfield- yet no penalty flag was thrown for ineligible man downfield. Why is that the case? Are linemen allowed to move downfield if the pass is completed behind the line of scrimmage, or did Florida get lucky? Thanks!

Answer
Richard
Great question and you are correct there were linemen 15 yards downfield.  I assure you there were many college and professional officials who last night re-round their Tivos to watch those plays you describe.  However, those plays were legal and no foul occurred because the pass was behind or caught at the line of scrimmage.

The foul for ineligible man downfield requires that the ball be passed beyond the line of scrimmage.  There may be an instance where such a shovel pass  goes 1 yard beyond the line of scrimmage but since the play is designed to be a shovel pass play where the ball is supposed to be in or behind the line of scrimmage, officials will not be overly technical in that instance because of the design of the play and treat the play as being thought the ball had not crossed the line of scrimmage.

Yes linemen are allowed to move downfield if the pass is completed at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Hope that answers your question.  If you have a follow up question please feel free to ask.  This is a very good question.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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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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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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