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Expert: - 11/5/2007


Question
Regarding the recent question of "During the Purdue-Penn State game, a Purdue receiver stepped out-of-bounds late in the game in an effort to stop the clock, but the ref signalled for the clock to keep running. Was that because he was not moving forward when he stepped out?  The announcer said the ref was wrong."

More background on the play:
1. The receiver was actually coming back for the ball.
2. The receiver went out of bounds untouched.

Was this still forward progress?

Answer
Tom
I tried to find a clip on You Tube of this play and could not. You indicated the receiver was going back toward the ball I presume to make the catch.  Then you say he stepped OB untouched.   This now confuses me a bit because if the player went OB on his own accord under his own power without being touched I suspect the clock should have stopped and the deadball spot is where the ball crossed the sideline - and that is the forward progress spot.  The receiver gives up the "advanced" forward progress in that instant.  And in this example the official was incorrect to keep the clock moving.

The Big Ten Staff of Officials are an excellent lot and well trained.  They don't make many mistake that an untrained eye would notice or mistakes that would affect the game. I am trying to figure out why the covering official gave the wind the clock  signal if the runner/receiver was untouched and moving backward and stepping out of Bounds under his own accord.  

Tom if you have a Youtube clip of the play you can send it to me so I would be able to give you a better answer.  With this additional information you give me, it sounds like the official was incorrect.  But from your first question asked the other day on this play it sounded as if the official was correct.  I'll continue to see if I can find a clip of this play.  If you find one please forward it to me so I can give you an exact ruling.

Vic Winnek

Tom
I just spoke to another official from the MidWest who saw the game and if we are talking about the same play, the receiver/runner was grasped by a defender close to the sideline, his forward progress stopped inbounds and he was driven backward out of bounds but as he was going backward the defender lost the grasp of the runner and the runner stepped OB.  This is why the official gave the wind the clock signal and did not stop the clock- because forward progress was stopped inbounds and the runner was driven backward and out of bounds [when the runner stepped OB he was not in the defender's grasp].

Is this the play you are asking about???

Vic Winnek

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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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