Enforcement

[Bwest]

Looking to get a better feel for NCAA rule differences from Fed. How would this play be enforced under NCAA rules?

A, 3-17, B-30.  A1 throws a completed pass to A2 at the B-20.  A2 runs to the B-10 and fumbles.  The ball rolls back to the B-14 where it goes out of bounds.  Prior to the pass being thrown, B66 is flagged a personal foul when he rips the helmet off of A77 at the B-28.

[Legacy Zebra]

Before this year, this would have been enforced from the previous spot. A would have the option of 1st and 10 from the B15 after enforcement or 4th and 1 at the B14 if they decline. This offseason there was an editorial change that says personal fouls by the defense on a passing play may be enforced from the end of the last run if there is no change of possession. So starting this season A will accept the penalty and have 1st and goal from the B7.

[Bwest]

Before this year, this would have been enforced from the previous spot. A would have the option of 1st and 10 from the B15 after enforcement or 4th and 1 at the B14 if they decline. This offseason there was an editorial change that says personal fouls by the defense on a passing play may be enforced from the end of the last run if there is no change of possession. So starting this season A will accept the penalty and have 1st and 10 from the B7.

Why aren't we enforcing this from the 10 if it's from the end of the last run? The dead ball spot is the 14, but shouldn't the end of the run be where possession was lost?

[Legacy Zebra]

You're right, I wasn't paying close enough attention. Enforce it from the 10, 1st and goal from the 5.

[Bwest]

Any other opinions? I've talked to a few NCAA R's and they've all told me to enforce from where the ball goes out of bounds. Is the out of bounds spot another "run"?

[bmtjim]

A2's fumble is a continuation of his run, and since the ball went oob behind the spot of the fumble the 14 yd line becomes the end of the run and therefore the enforcement spot.

[Legacy Zebra]

I disagree. The end of the running play is where the ball goes out of bounds, but the end of the run is the spot of the fumble. 2-24-8-b: "The spot where the run ends is at that point:...Where player possession is lost on a fumble." 2-30-4-c: "If a ball carrier loses possession by a fumble, backward pass or illegal forward pass, the spot where the run ends (Rule 2-25-8) is the yard line where the ball carrier loses possesion. The running play includes the run and the loose-ball action before a player gains or regains possession or the ball is declared dead (A.R. 2-30-4-I and II)." The loose ball action is included in the running play, but not the run.

[Kalle]

I agree with LZ. It is a common mistake to confuse end of the run with the end of the running play, if the run ends with a fumble. The rule language is very specific about the enforcement being from the end of the run, not from where the dead ball belongs to team A. For a contrasting example see the rule language for team A fouls during kicks, where the enforcement is from where the dead ball belongs to team B, not from the end of the last run.

[bossman72]

Any other opinions? I've talked to a few NCAA R's and they've all told me to enforce from where the ball goes out of bounds. Is the out of bounds spot another "run"?

Better straighten up your NCAA R's!

End of the run is the fumble.  That's why we bean bag it.