2011 play interpretations #4
Fumble in End Zone Following Interception
2. Third and five at the B-20. Defensive back B44 intercepts a forward pass at the B-3 and his momentum carries him into his end zone. While still in the end zone he fumbles the ball. It rolls forward, goes into the field of play, and in the scramble the ball goes back into the end zone (a) where B44 recovers. He is tackled in the end zone; (b) and over the end line. RULING: Safety, two points for Team A, in both (a) and (b). The impetus for the ball returning to the end zone following the interception and the fumble is B44's fumble. The scramble to recover the ball does not add new impetus. The momentum rule does not apply because the ball did not remain in the end zone. (8-5-1, 8-7)
Great find. I think this emphasizes the wording for 8-5-1 Exception (aka the momemtum rule).
8-5-1 Exceptions:
It is not a safety if a player between his five-yard line and his goal line:
1. Intercepts a pass or fumble; or recovers an opponent’s fumble or
backward pass; or catches or recovers a kick; and
2. His original momentum carries him into his own end zone; and
3.
The ball remains behind his goal line (
emphasis by me) and is declared dead in his team’s
possession there. This includes a fumble that goes from the end zone into
the field of play and out of bounds (Rule 7-2-4-b-1).
If conditions 1-3 are satisfied above, the ball belongs to this player’s
team at the spot where he gained possession.
Since all 3 were not met, you cannot have momemtum and therefore B is responsible for the ball being in their EZ in their possession.
