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College Football/Catching pass after being out of bounds

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Expert: - 11/21/2005


Question
In the Michigan Ohio State game Troy Smith throw a 30 yard pass with less then 50 seconds to go in the game that the receiver caught within Michigan's 5 yard line (great catch).

When watching the reply you see that the receiver unforced by the defender stepped out of bounds when turning to run down the field once Troy Smith started to scramble.  The back judge who was in the end zone threw his hat down when seeing the player go out of bounds but there was no discussion or flag after this play.  

Was this an over-sight or in college can a receiver who steps out of bounds unforced by the defense continue on with the play?  The stepping out of bounds is clear on the reply and so is that the defender did not force him out of bounds.

Thanks, Robert  

Answer
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Robert,
Thank you for your e-mail.  You are the second person to ask a similar question about this game.  I have not seen the film.

Your question is: "Was this an over-sight or in college can a receiver who steps out of bounds unforced by the defense continue on with the play?"  The answer to your question is:  In NCAA football a player who voluntarily steps out of bounds may return and "continue on with the play."  An eligible receiver may also continue on an participate on the play- he just can not be the first offensive player to touch or catch a legal forward pass that was not previously tipped or touched by an official or the defense or after possessed by an offensive player. NCAA Rules 7-3-4 and 7-3-5

The fact that the Back Judge [BJ] threw his hat signifies it was not an oversight.  However, my concern might be that the BJ threw his hat when the receiver did not go out of bounds beyond the goalline.  Not sure why the BJ would have thrown his hat. The Big Ten hires the best officials in the MidWest and their supervior is tops in the business. I would question why the BJ threw his hat and not the Deep Side or Flank official.  It is too difficult to see a player step out of bounds from the middle of the field.

Hope this addresses you question.  Feel free to follow up with more information if you like,
Thank you for your question.
Victor Winnek

College Football

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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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