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Expert: - 10/1/2011


Question
In A&M / Arkansas game the ball was on the 19.  Pass interference by defense in end zone.  Ball placed on 4 yard line.  What is the rule?  15 yards, half distance to goal line, ...?

Thanks,

Answer
Alan,
The ball snapped at the 19 yardline with DPI in the endzone, means the penalty occured more than 15 yards beyond the previous spot so the enforcement is the full 15 yards per rule 7-3-8 and 10-2-2-d; 10-2-3-exception.  In this case it is not half the distance.

Spot foul within 15 yards of line of scrimmage [if DPI occurs less than 15 yards beyond the previous spot] or 15 yard penalty from the previous spot if foul occurs 15 yards or more from the previous spot; unless the previous spot is between the B17 yardline and the B 2 yard line, then by rule the penalty is enforced at the 2 yardline.

I did not see the play or spot of the ball.  Is it possible the DPI occurred 14 1/2 yard beyond the the previous spot (the 4 1/2 yard line) or that the previous spot was inside the 19 yard line?  This may explain why the ball was snapped from the 4 or about the 4 yardline.

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