I noticed a discussion regarding a legal kick down on another forum that uses a different rule set. This appears to be yet another difference with NCAA, so, those of you working NCAA, this is just a reminder that the game clock will stop at the end of the down for ANY legal kick down, free or scrimmage. If it is a scrimmage down, this is irrespective of the down number.
For a free kick down (kickoff or free kick following a safety), the game clock is started by rule, and will stop when the ball becomes dead. It is quite common for the game clock to not run on such a down, if the ball is kicked into B's end zone, and it never comes back into the field of play, and becomes dead in the end zone.
As for scrimmage kick downs, the clock starts on the snap (if not already running), and will stop at the end of the down, regardless of what happens (3-3-2-d-8). Even if this is on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down, and the legally kicked ball fails to cross the NZ, and team A recovers. Even though Team A will retain possession and snap for the next down, the game clock stops. Why, you ask? Because those are typically special team players, and they need to replace those special team players with offensive/defensive players. This rule was intended to cover normal play, when Team B takes possession during or at the end of the down. OK, it doesn't exactly cover a non-4th down kick that fails to cross the NZ and A recovers, but there is no exception for those rare instances.
This is very different than that other rule set I mentioned. So, be sure you know the rule for the game you are working.
