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College Football/Is it a first down

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Expert: - 10/17/2007


Question
If a player catches a ball beyond the first down marker, is then struck by a defender causing him to fumble the ball, which is not recovered by either team but goes out of bounds behind the first down marker, is the offensive team given the first down because of foweard progress? Or is it down and distance from where it went out?

Answer
Jeff
If there is a catch and fumble and not an incomplete pass, then the play as you describe is not a first down because the ball becomes dead out of bounds behind the line to gain.  It is considered a fumble backwards and out of bounds thus the succeeding spot is the yardline where the ball went out of bounds.  The forward progress spot is the out of bounds spot, not the spot where the player lost possession.

I hope this answers your question.
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

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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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