Hot clock or not?

[hefnerjm]

Timing question:
Team A is leading late in 4th qtr and the game clock is running as Team A has been running the ball to try to end the game.  Before a 3rd down and long, Team A intentionally allows the play clock to run out and commits a delay of game penalty which is accepted by Team B.  When should the game clock next start? 

my colleague says: on the ready because the clock was running when the foul occurred.
I say: on the next snap because Team A committed the foul with the intent of burning clock. 

Does the clock status (hot or not) change if Team B is winning?
What say ye?   

[Legacy Zebra]

You're correct. If a team fouls and would get an unfair advantage, the game clock can be started or stopped at the discretion of the R. Taking a DOG definitely falls into that. My general rule for myself is any presnap foul qualifies, especially if the play clock is low since they will get a fresh 25 after enforcement. If Team B is winning, I would restart the clock like normal. Team A is working against the clock on that situation, so restarting it actually hurts them anyway.

As a bit of a retort, ask your colleague how many times he would let Team A take DOGs to run out the clock. Say Team A has 1st and Goal with 4 minutes left and continually lets the play clock run out. How long would he let it continue before putting an end to that farce?

[TxBJ]

You are correct. In the normal course of the game it would be in the ready unless team A was in a scrimmage kick formation. However, R has to use his authority to start on the snap since A is trying to use it to run out the clock. Would your friend let them repeatedly do it until the clock ran out, never snapping the ball?

[Kalle]

Point your colleague to rule 3-4-3 and A.R. 3-4-3-I. It always surprises me when officials insist they are right when there is a trivial A.R. proving them wrong...