Curious play of the day

[ElvisLives]

Third extra period, first possession series.
A11 fumbles at the B-3. B99 recovers the ball at the B-1, and attempts to advance. After recovering the ball and after taking three steps laterally - totally in the field of play - B99 attempts to elude A88 and steps into the end zone. The ball is clearly fully in the end zone when B99 is tackled by A88 and taken to the ground, with the ball fully in the end zone.

Ruling:

(To be honest, I guess I'm just trying to make a point about what kind of down this actually is.)

[Kalle]

Score one point for team A. Next down will be team B @ A-3.

[Imperial Stout]

How about this, third extra period, first possession.

Team B intercepts a pass and returns all the way into the other end zone.

I think there may need to be an editorial change.

[ElvisLives]

Score one point for team A. Next down will be team B @ A-3.

Yeah, if that happened on a down during the first or second EP, that's 2-points. This is truly a "try" down, and Team A can only get 2-points for a TD. So, they can only get 1-point for a safety.

[JasonTX]

How about this, third extra period, first possession.

Team B intercepts a pass and returns all the way into the other end zone.

I think there may need to be an editorial change.

2 points for Team B.  This is a try down.

[ElvisLives]

How about this, third extra period, first possession.

Team B intercepts a pass and returns all the way into the other end zone.

I think there may need to be an editorial change.

2-point TD, just like Team A would get for a TD.
Yeah, I'd like to see an editorial change to say this down follows all rules per 8-3, just for 100% clarity.

[Legacy Zebra]

I think what Imperial Stout is getting to is what happens *after* the 2 point touchdown. That is where we really need an editorial change. The OT rules in 3-1-3 say that there shall be an equal number of possession series unless Team B scores other than on a try. Which makes sense under the rules for first second extra periods. If Team B scores a six point touchdown, there’s no point in having them start their possession series. The game just ends. But if Team A scores a 6 point touchdown and then Team B scores a two point touchdown on that try to make the score 6-2, Team B should still get their possession series. However, with the introduction of the new OT rules and every possession series being a try starting in 3OT, every Team B score would be on a try. So by a strict reading of the rule, Team B should have to snap the ball for their possession series try, even though they are leading 2-0. But realistically, the game should be over.

[Imperial Stout]

I think what Imperial Stout is getting to is what happens *after* the 2 point touchdown. That is where we really need an editorial change. The OT rules in 3-1-3 say that there shall be an equal number of possession series unless Team B scores other than on a try. Which makes sense under the rules for first second extra periods. If Team B scores a six point touchdown, there’s no point in having them start their possession series. The game just ends. But if Team A scores a 6 point touchdown and then Team B scores a two point touchdown on that try to make the score 6-2, Team B should still get their possession series. However, with the introduction of the new OT rules and every possession series being a try starting in 3OT, every Team B score would be on a try. So by a strict reading of the rule, Team B should have to snap the ball for their possession series try, even though they are leading 2-0. But realistically, the game should be over.

Exactly!

3-3-f
f. Scoring. The team scoring the greater number of points during the
regulation and extra periods shall be declared the winner. There shall be an
equal number of possession series, as described in (e) above, in each extra
period, unless Team B scores other than on the try.

Approved Ruling 3-1-3
I. Other than on the try, Team B scores a touchdown after intercepting a forward
pass, intercepting or recovering a backward pass or fumble, or returning a
blocked field goal attempt. RULING: Period and game are ended, and Team
B is the winner.


As the purpose of ending the game would be such that Team B didn't have to come back out and take a knee 4 times, the same logic would apply to the 3rd and subsequent periods, though these rules weren't revised when the OT rules changed.

[Kalle]

Agreed that the language in 3-1-3-e is not as clear as it could be, but I'm going to hang my hat on the fact that it is in fact a possession series (of a single down), not a "simple" try. So, if team B scores on that series, it is not "on the try." Game over, no need for an extra kneel down.

[ElvisLives]

Yes, this down is played by the rules of a try down, including point values, but is, in fact, a possession “series” in the Extra Period, and would follow 3-1-3-e & f. If team B scores other than on the try, game over. A little hard to arrive at that destination, but the path is already there, in the rules, as they are.

(Calling it a ‘series’ is linguistically inaccurate, but there are worse things in the universe. 🙂)