No. 8 is curious. Can't wait to read the ruling from S-B.
1. 3/10 @ A-30. Midway through the 4th quarter, QB A12 throws downfield, and the ball is intercepted by B21 at the B-45. B21 returns to the A-35 where he fumbles and A55 recovers at that point while grounded.
RULING:
A, 1/10, A-35, game clock running (40 and running).
This is an “A-B-A” situation, and is no different than if Team A had simply advanced the ball beyond the line-to-gain for a new series. Per 2023 rule change, the game clock would not stop, and the play clock would be set to 40-seconds and start automatically when the ball became dead when recovered by A55 while grounded.
2. 4/10 @ A-30. Midway through the 4th quarter, Team A punts and receiver B21 muffs the ball near the sideline at the B-30. Gunner A80 scoops and recovers the ball at the B-32 and runs out of bounds at the B-30.
RULING:
A, 1/10, B-32, snap (25).
Although this is an award of a new series to Team A, it is also a legal kick down, and 3-3-2-d-8 requires that the game clock next start on the snap. 3-2-4-c-7 requires the play clock to be set to 25, and start on the referee’s signal.
3. 4/10 @ A-30. Midway through the 4th quarter, Team A punts and receiver B21 catches the ball near the sideline at the B-30 and returns to the B-35 where he fumbles. Gunner A80 scoops and recovers the ball at the B-35 and runs out of bounds at the B-30.
RULING:
A, 1/10, B-30, snap (25).
Although this is an award of a new series to Team A, it is also a legal kick down, and 3-3-2-d-8 requires that the game clock next start on the snap. 3-2-4-c-7 requires the play clock to be set to 25, and start on the referee’s signal.
4. 4/6 @ B-20. Late in the 3rd quarter, Team A lines up to kick a field goal. B75 is in the neutral zone at the snap and blocks the kick. The ball is recovered by B75 back at the B-30. When the play is over, the game clock reads 0:00.
RULING:
A, 4/1, B-15, 15:00 (4), snap (25).
Following enforcement of the 5-yard penalty for the offside foul by B75, the Line-to-Gain and Down Indicators are repositioned at the opposite end of the field, to begin the 4th period.
5. 3/5 @ B-30. It is late in the half and both teams have all their timeouts remaining. With Team A at the line and ready to snap the ball, the Team B head coach requests a timeout, and the timeout is granted. After the timeout, both teams are in formation and the Team A head coach requests a timeout and the time out is granted. After the Team A timeout, both teams are back on the field with the ball ready for play when the Team B head coach requests a time out.
RULING:
3/5, B-30, snap (25).
The second request for a time-out by the Team B head coach is not granted. The play clock is NOT interrupted, and play continues. Suggestion: Game officials should use preventive officiating, and, when a team is granted a time out, notify the head coach of that team that another time out may NOT be requested by that team until a down has been played.
6. 4/10 @ A-44. Kicker A80 is lined up in scrimmage kick formation at the A-30. The snap goes straight over his head, and he retrieves the ball in the tackle box at the A-15. As A80 wheels around, he punts the ball. Just as A80’s foot hits the ball, B55 tackles A80. The punt goes forward and rolls out of bounds at the A-35.
RULING:
B, 1/10, A-35, snap (25).
All legal action. CORRECTION A80 was more than 5 yards behind his position at the snap, therefore, by 2023 Editorial Change, he does not have roughing the kicker protection. Team B is awarded a series at the yard line where the ball (loose from the kick) went out of bounds and became dead.
7. 4/10 @ A-44. Kicker A80 is lined up in scrimmage kick formation at the A-30. The snap goes straight to A80, and he muffs the snap. A80 immediately picks the ball up from his initial position, and clearly goes into his punting motion and punts the ball. In an attempt to block the kick, B55 dives into A80 and makes hard contact to A80’s plant leg. The punt goes out of bounds at the A-22.
RULING:
A, 1/10, B-41, snap (25).
A80’s immediate action to recover the ball (loose from his muff), and move into a kicking motion made it obvious that a kick would be made, and A80 has full protection from running into/roughing the kicker. B55’s hard contact to the plant leg of A80 is clearly roughing the passer. The 15-yard penalty from the previous spot takes the ball to the B-41, where Team A is awarded a new series.
8. 4/10 @ A-44. Kicker A80 is lined up in scrimmage kick formation at the A-30. The snap goes straight to A80, and he muffs the snap. A80 picks the ball up at the A-29 within the tackle box, and as he wheels around, A80 punts the ball. Just as A80’s foot hits the ball, B55 makes strong contact to A80’s kicking leg. The punt goes out of bounds at the B-40.
RULING:
B, 1/10, B-40, snap (25).
All legal action. A80’s actions in retrieving the ball within the tackle box (loose from the snap) and then “…wheels around, A80 punts the ball…” did not make it obvious that a kick would be made; therefore, A80 does not have roughing the kicker protection. Team B is awarded a series at the yard line where the ball (loose from the kick) went out of bounds and became dead.
