Fumble into Endzone Question

That fumble call last night looks like it is getting messier.  The officials released a post-game statement saying that the call should have been a touchback.  I looked to see if I could find any info in the rulebook for further enlightenment.

 

Unfortunately, the rulebook is not available online (the NCAA should change this), so I couldn't go directly to the citation the officials gave in their statement.  However, there is a "rules and interpretations" book available from the NCAA online, and so I looked into it.  Below is what the book says on the issue of fumbling out of bounds, and touchbacks.

 

Read Articles 2 and 3 of section 2.  There is obviously a difference between a held ball and a loose ball.  In part b, are they talking about a loose ball hitting the pylon?  If so, then the officials should have ruled it a touchback.  ("behind the goal line" means the same as "crossing the plane"). 

 

 

Here is what the rule book says on fumbles, as cited in the interpretations book:

 

SECTION 2. Out of Bounds

Held Ball Out of Bounds

ARTICLE 2. A ball in player possession is out of bounds when either the

ball or any part of the runner touches the ground or anything else that

is on or outside a boundary line except another player or game official.

Ball Out of Bounds

ARTICLE 3. a. Aball not in player possession, other than a kick that scores

a field goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a

game official or anything else that is on or outside a boundary line.

b. Aball that touches a pylon is out of bounds behind the goal line.

SECTION 6. Touchback

When Declared

ARTICLE 1. It is a touchback when:

a. The ball becomes dead out of bounds behind a goal line, except from an

incompleted forward pass, or becomes dead in the possession of a player

on, above or behind his own goal line and the attacking team is

responsible for the ball being there (A.R. 6-3-9-IV, A.R. 7-2-4-I, A.R. 8-6-

1-I and II, and A.R. 10-2-2-XXXIX) (Rules 7-2-4-a and b).

b. Akick becomes dead by rule behind the defending team's goal line and

the attacking team is responsible for the ball being there (

Exception:

Rule 8-4-2-b) (A.R. 6-3-4-IV).

c. Aviolation by the kicking team occurs in the receiving team's end zone.

 

SECTION 7. Responsibility and Impetus

 

Responsibility

 

ARTICLE 1. The team responsible for the ball being out of bounds behind

a goal line or being dead in the possession of a player on, above or behind

a goal line is the team whose player carries the ball or imparts an impetus

to it that forces it on, above or across the goal line, or is responsible for a

loose ball being on, above or behind the goal line (A.R. 6-3-4-I).

Initial Impetus

ARTICLE 2. a. The impetus imparted by a player who kicks, passes, snaps

or fumbles the ball shall be considered responsible for the ball's

progress in any direction even though its course is deflected or reversed

after striking the ground or after touching an official or a player of either

team (A.R. 6-3-4-IV; A.R. 8-5-1-II, III, VIII, IX and XI; and A.R. 8-7-2-IIX).

b. Initial impetus is considered expended and the responsibility for the

ball's progress is charged to a player:

1. If he kicks a ball not in player possession or bats a loose ball after it

strikes the ground (

Exception: The original impetus is not changed

when a loose ball is batted or kicked in the end zone) (A.R. 8-7-2-V).

2. If the ball comes to rest and he gives it new impetus by any contact

with it.

Exceptions:

1. Rules 6-1-4-a and 6-3-4-a (A.R. 6-3-4-I-IV).

2. The original impetus is not changed when a ball at rest in the end

zone is moved when touched by an official or a player.

c. Aloose ball retains its original status when there is new impetus.

Anyway, appearently there have been other issues with officials ruling an "out of bounds plane" (which is not in the rulebook, apparently).  If you google the issue, there are quite a few references to the issue.

 

Looks like the NCAA needs to clarify a little better.

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