To paraphrase the OP, zany things can often occur on punts. Two of the zaniest ,in my lifetime, occurred on punts that didn't cross the LOS:
Game clock operator at a DIII NCAA game.
(1) K's ball ,4/10 @K's 20;
(2) snap sails over punter's K1 head and into EZ;
(3) K1 scoops up the bad snap in his EZ under pressure by R;
(4) K1 kicks a weak grounder;
(5) K2 -a big ole' Bubba- fields grounder @K's 15;
(6) Bubba stands, holding the ball, as both teams head towards sidelines;
(7) Bubba then pitches ball to surprised
umpire
;
(8) Umpire quickly drops the ball and whistles blow;
(9)
conference;
(10) WH gives signal #10 followed by signal #8 - new series for R.
The PA announcer (a veteran official) and I weren't sure what just happened. He announced : "Penalty declined,____'s ball". As always, I checked in with the crew at halftime. Their explanation of the happening was : "Everything was legal, and Bubba's pass to the ump was incomplete = 1st down R from LOS."
I couldn't resist but ask : were there any ineligibles downfield or eligible in the area of the 'pass'
??" They
politely told me to ;"Git the $%^& outa'here!"
Bubba had passes up the chance of becoming the homecoming hero ( and first dance with the homecoming queen) by running for a TD as both teams were heading toward the sidelines. Bubba instead chose to become a passer with a
0-1 completion record
.
A few years ago, this occurred in a HS season opener - I was the WH:
(1) K up by 3, 4/10 @ 50;
(2) R brings all 11 in attempt to block;
(3) punter just gets the kick off and it goes nearly straight up;
(4) as the ball comes down several R players are yelling "stay away,stay away" to their teammates;
(5) Big ole' Bubba -OG -fields the kick and looks back at me
;
(6) both teams are now looking at me, I wanted to hum "Mr. Touchdown";
(7) One of Bubba's teammates said : "Run and see what happens
";
(8) Bubba began to run, R players began to chase him;
(9) Bubba gained 15 and a new series before he was caught.
R's coach asked for a conference timeout , and inquired : "He can't do that....can he
?"
My response was : "Coach, a kick that hasn't crossed the line of scrimmage is just like a fumble
."
My question to you guys is there are at least two differences between a fumble and a kick that hasn't crossed the LOS, can you name them?