10-second subtraction scenario

[El Macman]

4/15, A-15; A=8, B=7; B's times-out are exhausted, 4th period.
With the game clock running, and while the ball is ready-for-play with Team A players in an apparent punt formation, B55 jumps across the NZ and contacts guard A77 at 0:47 (with 0:35 on the play clock).

A accepts the 5-yard distance penalty and the 10-second subtraction to the game clock. The game clock is set to 0:37. By AR 3-4-3-II, the Referee announces that the play clock is to be set at 40 seconds (and the PCO complies). The Referee:
a) sounds his whistle and signals for the game clock (and play clock) to start. The play clock operator astutely turns off the play clock. Everyone stands around while the game clock runs down to 0:00. The Referee declares the game over, and the officials leave the field.

b) announces and declares that the game is over, and the officials leave the field.

What'll it be?

Actually, this scenario isn't totally new for 2011. A very similar scenario could have happened in 2010, just without the 10-second subtraction (e.g., game clock at 0:37, play clock at 35 seconds). B thinks they'll be able to force a snap on/before 0:12 (with a 25-second play clock) by fouling. Just wonder how the R is to handle this. a) may be awkward, but, I, personally, think it is better than announcing the game is over and walking off, as in b).





 

[Andrew McCarthy]

I'd have to go with choice "a".  The R should announce what will happen with the clocks "by rule".

[Fatman325]

I'll take C.

C. This will not happen as no team that is trying to run the clock down will be in a formation with 35 seconds on the play clock.

[elewis023]

How about choice D?

Since A would have had to snap the ball before the game clock went to zeros and B's jump wasn't an "obvious" attempt to stop the clock, wouldn't the R set the play clock to 25 and have them snap the ball?

Of course, if this was the 2nd time it happened or it was obvious that he was just trying to stop the clock, then set the play clock to 40.

Tough sell to the losing coach.  I know it's supported by rule, but tough way to lose a game.

[El Macman]

I'll take C.

C. This will not happen as no team that is trying to run the clock down will be in a formation with 35 seconds on the play clock.

Unlikely, yes, but not impossible or implausible. For decades they said we'd never see an airborne player grasp a forward pass in flight and throw it forward to a teammate. A "Peach" of a play when it happened.

Never say never in NCAA football. As long as there are more than 25 seconds on the game clock, the previous play was under a 40-second play clock and the game clock was running, it is a possibility that has to be considered.

[Watson]

Am I missing something? OP suggests A can take runoff AND yardage penalty. I thought it was one or the other.

[El Macman]

Am I missing something? OP suggests A can take runoff AND yardage penalty. I thought it was one or the other.

The offended team has to accept the distance penalty to also invoke the time subtraction; however, the offended team may decline the time subtraction. If the offended team declines the distance penalty, then the time subtraction is also declined by rule.

[sj_31]

Brought this scenario up with a group of guys last weekend. Most thought that 3-4-3-II didn't apply any longer with this new rule and that the 10 second runoff was the proper penalty. They felt that we didn't need to invoke 3-4-3 now that timing issues are clearly codified. It will be interesting to see if they remove, modify, or keep 3-4-3-II the same for 2011.

[Diablo]

Brought this scenario up with a group of guys last weekend. Most thought that 3-4-3-II didn't apply any longer with this new rule and that the 10 second runoff was the proper penalty. They felt that we didn't need to invoke 3-4-3 now that timing issues are clearly codified. It will be interesting to see if they remove, modify, or keep 3-4-3-II the same for 2011.

The new 3-4-4 applies only to fouls that occur inside 1 min in a half.  I think that there could be foul situations outside of 1:00 that would require applying 3-4-3.

[sj_31]

I agree, but what about the situation in the original post? Is 3-4-3 "overkill" in this case now that we have a definitive clock rule with the 10-second runoff?

[Diablo]

I agree, but what about the situation in the original post? Is 3-4-3 "overkill" in this case now that we have a definitive clock rule with the 10-second runoff?

I see your point. 
Team B gets hit with a three prong penalty - loss of 5 yards, loss of 10 sec on the game clock, and using the 40-, instead of 25-sec play clock.  Does the crime fit the punishments?