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College Football/safety or touchback

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Expert: - 10/20/2007


Question
Team A throws a pass that is intercepted in the endzone by Team B.  The intercepting player on Team B starts to bring the ball out of the endzone.  The intercepting players right foot leaves the endzone before other members of his  team (Team B) pull him back into the endzone where he kneels it.  The officials called it a touchback.  Since the player left the endzone, should this have been a safety under NCAA colege football rules?

Answer
Jeremy
Thanks for the question.  I happened to have seen the play you are questioning in the OU vs. Iowa State game.  The call was correct on the field, it was a Touchback.  

The ball in player possession never crossed the the goal line.  The runner's foot crossed the goal line but the Ball did not.  Thus the ball becomes dead in Team B's possession behind the goal line having never left the End Zone following the intercepted pass.

I hope this explains the play.

Victor C. Winnek
NCAA Football Official

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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