Gents,
I just want to make sure I understand this rule. Its 4th and 15 from Rs 30 yard line. K1 is attempting a field goal or punt from the 30 yard line. In both plays R25 partially blocks the kick/punt causing the ball to cross the expanded neutral zone and landing on team R's 25 yard line. In both cases R77 muffs the ball on the 25 yard line of R and K picks the ball up at the 25 yard line and runs getting tackled at the 27.
In both of these situations is it true that the play should be blown dead once K picks the ball up as K cannot return a muff? Additionally K would be allowed to keep the ball and it would be 1st and 10?
I just want to make sure I understand this.
It doesn't matter whether it's a FG or punt, they are both scrimmage kicks and operate under the same rules. Whenever K possesses a scrimmage kick beyond the NZ, the ball is dead. If R has touched it, it is K's ball 1/10 from that spot. If R has not touched it, it's R's ball 1/10 from that spot. 6-2-4 covers this. In this play, K recovered a muffed (touched) scrimmage kick beyond the NZ, therefore the ball is dead, and a new series is awarded to K from that spot. Regardless of touching by R, if the ball had bounced backward and K had recovered in or behind the NZ, the ball is still live and K may advance.