Deadball Unsportsmanlike - Tauntiing on 4th Down

[VA-Ump]

This may have been discussed, if so I apologize in advance, but  did a search and did not find anything.

Play -  4th down, QB is sacked.  After the sack the B player taunts. 

By rule this is B's ball -15  (AR 10.1.5.I), but some say this has been interpreted as A's ball because its taunting, with an auto 1st...  If this is true, can anyone point me in that direction...

[mbyron]

You're right: A's series is over prior to the dead-ball foul, and you have the A.R. to prove it.

The idea of an automatic first down was never intended to turn dead-ball fouls into live-ball fouls. That provision of the penalty cannot be enforced in this kind of case, so it lapses. :shrug:

[Osric Pureheart]

The rule language says "auto first for Team B fouls if not in conflict with other rules", and in this case it conflicts with the rule that says that Team A loses possession if they haven't made the line to gain when 4th down ends.