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Expert: - 11/3/2011


Question
In overtime, Can a college football team win by 13 points?

For example: Florida State is on offense and Florida is on defense to start the 1st OT. FSU scores on its possession and is now playing defense. While on defense FSU intercepts the pass and run its back for a touchdown. Does the touchdown count or is the play dead immediately on change of possession?

Answer
Denis,
Yes the team could score and win by 13 points. The ball remains alive once the defensive team in your question gains possession per Rule 3-1-3(e)(f). The touchdown counts; the play is not dead immediately on change of possession. The reason being the defensive team could fumble and lose possession and the offensive team could return it for a score.  Nothing in Rule 3-1-3 or 8-2-1 prohibits the score.

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