1. Team A snaps at the 50-yard line and punts. The kick is untouched beyond the neutral zone when A44 reaches across Team B’s goal line and bats the ball back into the field of play. B22 recovers at the B-2 and is tackled at the B-4 by A88 who pulls him to the ground by the facemask, drawing a flag from the Back Judge.
a. Team A foul for batting the ball in the end zone.
b. Automatic touchback—no option.
c. If accepted, the facemask penalty will be enforced at the B-20.
d. None of the above.
REFERENCES: 6-3-11, 9-1-8, 10-2-2-d-1
COMMENTS: By 6-3-11, this is not a batting foul. However, it is illegal touching, the privilege for which is canceled by an accepted penalty. The facemask foul takes place during a running play, so the enforcement is under the Three-and-One Principle.
I understand the correct answer is D, but what I don't understand is the explication. FR68, ARTICLE 11. This is a special case of illegal touching: Team B's privilege for this violation is not canceled by and accepted penalty.