KWH,
Not sure I agree.
Here's 3-3-3c from rule book
ART. 3 . . . A period shall be extended by an untimed down if one of the following occurred during a down in which time expires:
a. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted, except for those fouls listed in 3-3-4b.
b. There was a double foul.
c. There was an inadvertent whistle.
d. If a touchdown was scored, the try is attempted unless the touchdown is scored during the last down of the fourth period and the point(s) would not affect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying.
If (a), (b), (c) or (d) occurs during the untimed down, the procedure is repeated.
Doesn't say anything about loose ball.
You correctly note 4-2-3 is applicable for administering the IW. I'm not sure I agree with your NEVER statement. 4-2-3c is applicable. The ball is not loose, R has gained possession and then the IW happens. Here is the rule:
ART. 3 . . . An inadvertent whistle ends the down. Inadvertent whistles are administered as follows:
a. The down shall be replayed if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an inadvertent whistle is sounded while a legal forward pass or snap is in flight, or during a legal kick.
b. The team last in possession may choose to either put the ball in play where possession was lost or replay the down if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an inadvertent whistle is sounded while the ball is loose following a backward pass, fumble, illegal forward pass or illegal kick.
c. The team in possession may choose to either accept the results of the play at the dead-ball spot or replay the down if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an inadvertent whistle is sounded while the ball is in player possession.
d. The penalty shall be administered as determined by the basic spot and takes precedence over inadvertent whistle administration if, during a down, a live-ball foul occurs prior to the inadvertent whistle and the penalty is accepted.
R gets the choice to have the ball at the dead ball spot, they are NOT going to choose to replay as that would result in K having another chance at a scoring play. At the dead ball spot, they get a snap.
Jackhammer -
You last two sentences are where you are missing the point.
R can choose to Replay the down! (And you are correct they would not do this) OR
R can choose to accept the result of the play. (This means they are in possession of the ball on the 50 yard line and not time left on the clock so it is halftime.)
They DO NOT have a third option as you suggest. They DO NOT get the ball AND another play. That is not an option here.
Restated
4-2-3c is the only applicable rule here and
(as much as you may want it to in the name of fairness) your THIRD option is not on the table.
Again,
(and someone may be able to say this in a better way, but;) There is
NEVER a situation where B or R may put the ball in play following an IW.
Restated;
When R "Accepts the result of the play", then the IW, is set aside! It goes away as it it never occurred!.
Therefore 3-3-3c is not applicable. So, since there was no IW and there was no accepted penalty. Halftime folks!
I hope this helps