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Expert: - 8/21/2004


Question
The offensive team is losing the football game.  On the final play of the football game, the offensive team scores a touchdown.  There is also an offensive pass interference penalty on the play.  If the defensive team declines the penalty, the touchdown would stand and the defense would lose.  So if they accept the penalty, would the offensive team get another play with no time on the clock or would the game be over?  Also, would the ruling be the same for NCAA rules and Professional rules?

Answer
Mike,
Thank you for your question.  As I understand it team "A" - the offense scores a TD with no time remaining in the game to take the lead.  However, Team "A" commits OPI (Rule7-3-8-b).

The enforcement spot on OPI is the previous spot(NCAA Rule 10-2-2-d) 15 yards (no loss of down).  Team B would have to accept the penalty to negate the score.  The period must be extended for one untimed down (NCAA Rule 3-2-3-a)as this was an accepted live-ball foul which does not fit the Rule 10-2-2-g exception.  

Team A would replay the [untimed] down 15 yards back from where the ball was originally snapped.   Your simple answer:  Yes, the offensive team would get to run another play with no time on the clock.


AS for the NFL rule, I don't know - this is outside my expertise.  I'm a College football official and not an NFL official.  I believe they have a different rule/enforcement procedure which might cause this to go to overtime.

I hope this helps,
Vic Winnek

College Football

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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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Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

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Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

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BA USC 1987
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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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