punt play

[copedaddy]

Want to see what you guys think of this punt play. Ball punted about about Team B 45 yard line. Ball is headed for the pylon, no team B player around. The ball bounces at about the 5 yard line about a yard inbounds and appears to be heading into the endzone. A85 standing out of bounds (went out on his own) bats the ball backward into the field of play and teammate A80 falls on the ball at the 8 yard line. What do you have?

[FLbackjudge]

Good play situation.  Here's an answer for the rest of you to shoot down.  A85 did not return inbounds, so I have no foul.  The ball, not in player possession, touched something (A85) that was out of bounds, so the ball is out of bounds where it was touched (apparently around Team B's 5-yard line).  1st and 10 for B at the B-5.

[El Macman]

Good play situation.  Here's an answer for the rest of you to shoot down.  A85 did not return inbounds, so I have no foul.  The ball, not in player possession, touched something (A85) that was out of bounds, so the ball is out of bounds where it was touched (apparently around Team B's 5-yard line).  1st and 10 for B at the B-5.

No shootin' that down.
As you said, the only possible question is where exactly the ball was when it was touched by A85. Might be the B-6; might be the B-4. But, the essence is that the ball touched something OB - the ball is dead at that time and location. B
No foul by A85. Not illegal for him to touch the ball. He didn't return inbiunds, so no foul there.

[Andrew McCarthy]

What if he bats it forward through the end zone?   

[copedaddy]

The ball was clearly in the field of play when contacted by A85. One stretch that was made was could this be sideline interference since by going out of bounds he became an illegal player and therefore could not interfere with the play which “may” have resulted in a touch back.

[El Macman]

The ball was clearly in the field of play when contacted by A85. One stretch that was made was could this be sideline interference since by going out of bounds he became an illegal player and therefore could not interfere with the play which “may” have resulted in a touch back.

By NCAA rules, there is no such thing as an "illegal player." So, just because he is OB, he doesn't lose his status as a "player." Since he is OB voluntarily, he may not return to the field. But, if he does return to the field, it is only a foul for returning to the field. Should he block an opponent or touch the ball (in the field), those acts are governed by other rules - he may do so legally. Prior to 2011, he was allowed to block an opponent OB; but for 2011, nobody may block an opponent OB. His touching of the ball is nothing more than a ball touching something OB - dead at that time and location.

[fbljuj]

Good play situation.  Here's an answer for the rest of you to shoot down.  A85 did not return inbounds, so I have no foul.  The ball, not in player possession, touched something (A85) that was out of bounds, so the ball is out of bounds where it was touched (apparently around Team B's 5-yard line).  1st and 10 for B at the B-5.

I thought the ball became out of bounds if it touches anything OTHER than a player or an official. I believe that A85 is still a player so the ball is not o.b.. Yes?

[FLbackjudge]

It's a dead ball if it touches anything INbounds except a player, official, etc.   It's OB if it touches anything OB (unless it's a kick that scores a field goal after touching the upright).

[Diablo]

I thought the ball became out of bounds if it touches anything OTHER than a player or an official. I believe that A85 is still a player so the ball is not o.b.. Yes?

Perhaps you are mistaking "ball" for "player". 
A player is out of bounds if he contacts anythlng OB, except another player or official.  I believe that is true for the ball carrier as well.

[El Macman]

I thought the ball became out of bounds if it touches anything OTHER than a player or an official. I believe that A85 is still a player so the ball is not o.b.. Yes?

A loose ball is different than a ball in player possession, i.e., if a ball carrier contacts (or is contacted by) a player or official that is OB, the ball remains alive and in play. A loose ball that touches (or is touched by) a player, official, or ANYTHING out of bounds becomes dead at that time and location.