Not difficult, but unusual

[ElvisLives]

Kickoff, A-35, 6:00 (1). A=7, B=0.
A11's surprise onside kick is bouncing, untouched, at the A-46 as A99 blocks B88 to the ground. B88 is still rolling on the ground from A99's block when the untouched ball deflects off of B88. Subsequently, A99 muffs a recovery attempt at the 50. A44 recovers the ball at the B-48 and carries the ball across B's goal line.

Ruling:

(Include all mechanics specific to this action, particularly related to the game clock.)

[Kalle]

1. The block by A99 is illegal. The covering official should throw a flag to the yard line.
2. Sounds like B88 is blocked into the ball so the touching is disregarded and the game clock does not start.
3. The touch by A99 is legal and starts the game clock. The covering official should wind the clock.
4. The recovery by A44 is legal and causes the ball to become dead. The game clock also stops. The covering official should stop the clock.
5. Assuming the officials are blowing their whistles as they should, A44 is guilty of delay of game. The covering official should throw a flag.

Team B has a choice of rekicking the ball from A-25 (unlikely but possible) or taking the ball at A-42 after enforcing the two five yard penalties (penalties for one live-ball and one dead-ball foul will both be enforced). 25s play clock, game clock on the snap or when the subsequent free kick is legally touched in the field of play.

[ElvisLives]

Kalle,
Team A is prohibited from blocking Team B until they are eligible to touch the ball. Team A becomes eligible to touch the ball when the ball reaches Team B’s restraining line, which, in this case, is the A-45. Since the ball is at the A-46 - one yard beyond B’s restraining line - A99 is allowed to block Team B. So, no foul by A99.
Yes, we could flag A44 for delay, but I think NCAA coordinators would NOT want that called.

I was just trying make these points:
1) The deflection of the ball off of B88 is ‘nothing.’ For all purposes, the ball has not yet been touched by either team, at that point. The game clock does NOT start.
2) The subsequent touch by A99 is LEGAL touching, which causes the game clock to start, and play continues.
3) A44’s recovery is legal, but, since the status of the ball is still a kick, the ball is dead, and may not be advanced.

So, I would have: A, 1/10, B-48, snap (40 and running).
If DOG is called, then you’d have A, 1/10, A-47, snap (25).

[Kalle]

Team A is prohibited from blocking Team B until they are eligible to touch the ball. Team A becomes eligible to touch the ball when the ball reaches Team B’s restraining line, which, in this case, is the A-45. Since the ball is at the A-46 - one yard beyond B’s restraining line - A99 is allowed to block Team B. So, no foul by A99.

Hrmph, a really bad miscalculation on my part. Fortunately on the field this probably would not happen...

[ElvisLives]

Hrmph, a really bad miscalculation on my part. Fortunately on the field this probably would not happen...

Concur 100%.

[bossman72]

I don't like ruling forced touching on this.  The ball hit B88, not the other way around.  I don't think this is what the rule is trying to prevent.

[TxBJ]

I don't like ruling forced touching on this.  The ball hit B88, not the other way around.  I don't think this is what the rule is trying to prevent.

I agree with you on this.

[ElvisLives]

I agree with you on this.

Y’all need to re-read the situation. B88 is still rolling on the ground from the opponent’s block. He does not have his body under control, and that block causes him to be in the path of the loose ball and the ball strikes him. What more do you need to rule forced touching? Well, that was the intent of the situation, anyway. He was blocked into the ball. Sorry if that wasn’t clear, but I’m not sure how I could have made it any more clear.

[Imperial Stout]

What we need to distinguish between is a ball hitting a player while being blocked versus the block itself driving the player into the football.

In this example, I would need to see B88 moved more than a few yards at least before ending up on his backside, with the ball in close proximity to that location, rather than B88 planted reasonably close to the original point of contact, and then the ball hitting him.

[ElvisLives]

OK, I don't care what you "need" or "like." I wrote the frickin' situation, and, as I clearly stated, the intent is that he was blocked into the frickin' ball. Paint it however else you want, but the intent of the question is that the Team B player was blocked into the ball, therefore, he is deemed not to have touched it.
Geez. You guys a bunch of coaches, or what?