Safety? You make the call!

[fbljuj]

Following play led to a lively discussion in our study group. The ball leaving the endzone is key along with it not going forward o.b. but ending up back in the endzone. Your thoughts are appreciated:

B22 intercepts a pass in his end zone. He attempts to advance but fumbles. The ball rolls from the end zone to the B-2. As several players attempt to recover, A21 muffs the loose ball, which touches the goal line pylon.

[Magician]

We had this discussion last year.  I landed that this is a safety because the fumble is the final impetus for the ball crossing the goal line.  This is assuming the ball isn't nearly at rest and A21's muff is not a new impetus.  Our discussion didn't have A touching it but many had a hard time ruling safety.

[Hawkeye]

2011 Bulletin #4 Play 2
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)

[Harry]

I've run into this question a bunch of times lately.  It is a safety.  The impetus for the ball coming back into the end zone is the fumble (from the end zone).

[dvasques]

if, in that case, the fumble from B endzone goes into B-3 where there's a scramble for the ball and it goes out of bounds at B-1?

safety or B ball at B-1?

nevermind... I went to the rules and got it cleared out. The whole situation here has nothing to do with my question

touchback it is