See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Phz26BGxI(But don't pay any attention to the audio.)
OK, this is actually an NFHS contest, but this is worthy of discussion for NCAA. This is not a question of formation or eligibility, but, rather a possible violation of 7-3-8-c-4 (a pass thrown to simulate a kick, for either a completion, or, more likely, to induce a defensive pass interference foul). And maybe some other situations, as well.
On 4th/6, A-47, 6:03 (2), Team A snaps from a scrimmage kick formation. Almost immediately after receiving the snap, apparent punter A30 takes one step forward while changing to a throwing posture, and then takes a second step as he throws the ball downfield, toward A25 (who had run straight downfield from his backfield position at the snap). The pass has a clear ‘arcing’ trajectory, and is intercepted by B24 well downfield. A fraction of a second after the pass was released by A30, A25 was blocked to the ground by B2, beyond the NZ.
The issue is whether or not this constituted a 7-3-8-c-4 condition, which provides an exception to defensive pass interference rules, when Team A deceives Team B by making a pass that simulates a scrimmage kick, in hopes of either completing the pass for a first down, OR, more likely, inducing a defensive pass interference foul. In this case, the ball was clearly thrown with an arcing trajectory, more so than a routine pass. Running directly down the field, A25 was not running a ‘pattern,’ to move to a clear area of the field.
We could argue that B2 saw the passer moving into a passing posture, and then saw A25 running downfield, and ‘read’ pass and ‘chose’ to block A25, to take him out of the play. On the other hand, one could argue that Team A purposely attempted to deceive Team B with a pass that appeared to be a kick.
The big problem is that we don’t have a really good idea from the rules, or the Rules Committee, as to what constitutes “…high and deep…” for this rule. Does the pass need to be at least as high above the ground as the distance it travels downfield? (How would we measure that?) Does it need to travel at least 40 yards downfield?
My opinion, for what it is worth, is that Team A wasn’t necessarily trying to complete this pass, even though the pass was not thrown really high. I believe the pass would have been well overthrown, had A25 not been blocked to the ground. I believe Team A was consciously attempting to draw a DPI foul. I would support a no-call for DPI. And then I would look a little more closely at the block by B2 on A25 as being a blind-side block. And, I would look more closely at the block by B13 on A51 during the return; right hand clearly in the middle of the number, and the force of the block pushed A51 right by the BC as he was going by.
Discussion?
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