Question from last year's test (re: ineligible downfield).

[Fatso]

2nd and 7 for Team A at Team B’s 35-yard line.
Guard A66 blocks his man at the line then moves
to the 30-yard line before A10 throws a pass
which hits A66 in the back and falls incomplete.
The Umpire flags the alleged infraction.

RULING: Team A will play 3rd down and 12 at
Team B’s 40-yard line.

True of False?

[sczeebra]

False. It will either be decline 3rd and 7 or accept ineligible downfield 2nd and 12. This is not illegal touching.

[Fatso]

False. This is not illegal touching.

Why isn't it illegal touching?  thanks!   (rules states if he bats, muffs, or catches a pass).  I guess hitting him in the back isn't considered a muff.

[dammitbobby]

I'm guessing NFHS rule is similar to NCAA in the definition of a muff:

To muff the ball is to touch the ball in an unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover it.

[ElvisLives]

I'm guessing NFHS rule is similar to NCAA in the definition of a muff:

To muff the ball is to touch the ball in an unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover it.

Sorry to involve NCAA in this, but the reason it is not a foul in NCAA has nothing to do with muff versus fumble, or anything like it. The Illegal Touching rule (touching by an originally ineligible player) directly states that the ball must be intentionally touched to be a foul.

[CalhounLJ]

Why isn't it illegal touching?  thanks!   (rules states if he bats, muffs, or catches a pass).  I guess hitting him in the back isn't considered a muff.

you guess right.

[dammitbobby]

Sorry to involve NCAA in this, but the reason it is not a foul in NCAA has nothing to do with muff versus fumble, or anything like it. The Illegal Touching rule (touching by an originally ineligible player) directly states that the ball must be intentionally touched to be a foul.

right -I was answering from the perspective of why drilling him in the back isn't considered a muff.

[Ralph Damren]

Consider this...Lefty, the QB, fades back to pass. Pass hits big ole' Bubba ,an OT, legally in the backfield on his backside. This is just a bad pass and no IT. Same is true if Bhbba was beyond LOS. Bubba wandering downfield is still IR.