The 2013 College Football Thread.

**sergechronos** · 09-13-2013, 02:03 PM

Isn't that like the 2nd or 3rd time since the start of the NFL and NCAA seasons that this has happened?

Announcers are stupid generally. Would've thought it should've been a touchback, BUT the defensive team didn't force the ball to come out.

Rule 8 Forward Pass, Backward Pass, Fumble
Section 1 Forward Pass
DEFINITION
Article 1 Definition
It is a forward pass if:
(a) the ball initially moves forward (to a point nearer the opponent’s goal line) after leaving the passer’s hand(s); or (b) the ball first strikes the ground, a player, an official, or anything else at a point that is nearer the opponent’s goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand(s).
Note: A ball that is intentionally fumbled and goes forward is a forward pass. A ball that is intentionally muffed,and goes forward or backward, is a batted ball (12-1-8). The direction taken by a fumbled or muffed balldoes not affect the application of the rules specific to such acts, unless it is ruled that they are intentional.

Additionally though:
FUMBLE
Article 3 Fumble.
A fumble is any act, other than a pass or kick, which results in a loss of player possession.
Exception:
If a runner intentionally fumbles forward, it is a forward pass (3-22-2).

Item 4. Out of Bounds in End Zone.
When a fumble goes out of bounds in the end zone, the following shall apply:
(a) If a ball is fumbled in the field of play, and goes forward into the opponent’s end zone and over the end line or sideline, a touchback is awarded to the defensive team; or
(b) If a ball is fumbled in a team’s own end zone or in the field of play and goes out of bounds in the end zone, it is a safety, if that team provided the impetus that sent the ball into the end zone (See 11-5-1 for exception for momentum). If the impetus was provided by the opponent, it is a touchback.

Based on this, it's somewhat conflicting. If the refs ruled that it was an intentional fumble (which I imagine they did) then it should've been a forward pass past the line of scrimmage. If they ruled it was just a regular fumble, it shouldve been ruled a touchback and loss of possession.

**AdamVR4** · 09-13-2013, 02:23 PM

Serge, thank you for not guessing.

So per the rules, its a forward pass and the ball could not be advanced. And apparently there's no penalty associated with it.

Shocking! The officials that reviewed and discussed the play know the rules better than bobby thinks he does.

**Echo419** · 09-13-2013, 02:41 PM

A ball that is intentionally fumbled and goes forward is a forward pass.

it hit the ground and bounced forward. it was not "fumbled forward" thus not a forward pass. per the rules:

the ball first strikes the ground, a player, an official, or anything else at a point that is nearer the opponent’s goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand(s).

this was not the case. the refs tried to be to smart with this. the rule was written to prevent not so accidential fumbles forward to advance the ball not dumbasses that drop it before they cross the goal line.

**sergechronos** · 09-13-2013, 02:42 PM

Well, they still got it wrong. If they ruled it as intentionally fumbling (which it could be) then they should've been penalized for a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage which is 5 yards from spot of the foul and loss of down.

Article 12.
When the passer throws an illegal forward pass from
beyond the line of scrimmage and the penalty is accepted (five
yards from the spot of the foul and a loss of a down), do not charge
him with a pass attempt. Credit him with a rush attempt and yards
gained to the spot of the foul and the team with a penalty of five
yards (see Section 3, Article 12)

I think that they tagged them for excessive celebration or something, which was 15 yards, but the pass ruling should've been applied as well.

**sergechronos** · 09-13-2013, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Echo419

it hit the ground and bounced forward. it was not "fumbled forward" thus not a forward pass. per the rules:

this was not the case. the refs tried to be to smart with this. the rule was written to prevent not so accidential fumbles forward to advance the ball not dumbasses that drop it before they cross the goal line.

I agree. BUT my point was that in either case they were wrong. Whether they wanted to count it as intentionally fumbled forwards (constituting a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage) OR as a fumble through the end zone (should've been a turn over). They fucked it up no matter which view you look at.

**Echo419** · 09-13-2013, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by sergechronos

Well, they still got it wrong. If they ruled it as intentionally fumbling (which it could be) then they should've been penalized for a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage which is 5 yards from spot of the foul and loss of down.

Article 12.
When the passer throws an illegal forward pass from
beyond the line of scrimmage and the penalty is accepted (five
yards from the spot of the foul and a loss of a down), do not charge
him with a pass attempt. Credit him with a rush attempt and yards
gained to the spot of the foul and the team with a penalty of five
yards (see Section 3, Article 12)

I think that they tagged them for excessive celebration or something, which was 15 yards, but the pass ruling should've been applied as well.

it was an "Unsportsman like Conduct" penalty.

Originally Posted by sergechronos

I agree. BUT my point was that in either case they were wrong. Whether they wanted to count it as intentionally fumbled forwards (constituting a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage) OR as a fumble through the end zone (should've been a turn over). They fucked it up no matter which view you look at.

I concur sir. perhaps I should have touched on that point.

internet button mashers tend to jump to conclusions without being educated. it seems these refs knew the rules about as well as Adam. not very much.

**sergechronos** · 09-13-2013, 02:52 PM

Thank you for the clarification on the penalty. Couldn't remember off hand what they hit them for.

And at any rate, the officiating was horrible start to finish. Game was intriguing to watch though. Better than the Jets v Pats anyway.