Expert: Thom Brooks - 12/7/2009

Question
I know your area is college football but this should be a common rule question.  It was the end of the first half of Dallas and the Giants game.  Dallas kicks a field goal try that comes down to a receiver waiting in the end zone.  The ball is caught and the receiver proceeds to run it back but the play was immediately stopped by the officials and the half ended.  The runner was moving right along and looked very confused when play stopped.  No explanation was given by referees or announcers for stopping play.  There was a fighting penalty against the kicking team after the play was over.  Why would the officials not allow the run-back.  Two years ago the longest play in NFL history was a return of a short field goal try - 109.9 yards, to be exact.  Even though this is not College, I am hoping you might have some thoughts.

Bruce

Answer
Bruce, hello and Merry Christmas!

I'm not sure of the play but the ball is dead if it crosses into the end zone and no one from either team makes an attempt to retrieve the ball.  I don't know where the runner was, or if he called a Fair Catch, or a penalty was involved back at the line, or if time had expired....... If the penalty stopped the play, the whistle may have blown.  It also could have been the official making an error in an Inadvertant Whistle.  If I found out a better answer, I'll write back!


Take care,


Thom Brooks