QUIZ ANSWERS: 2016 WEEK #3


1. RULING: B 1/10 B20. The ball was untouched by Team B beyond the neutral zone. The ball was declared dead BEYOND the neutral zone. Rule 8-4-2-b-1 is satisfied. If Team A recovered on B's 11 (BEHIND the neutral zone), Rule 8-4-2-b-3 would be satisfied and it would be A 1/10 B11 per Play #5 on 2016 NCAA Bulletin #1. It is not known why a few centimeters should make a difference as to whether it is A's ball or B's ball when a Team B player touches the ball behind the neutral zone after the kick has crossed the neutral zone and Team A recovers the ball. UPDATE: See 2016 Quiz Week #12 Ruling #1 for NCAA interpretation change on October 31, 2016.


2. RULING: Team A accepts the penalty to nullify the touchdown, but by rule the period is not extended because the statement of the penalty includes loss of down. The game is over. (3-2-3, 7-3-2-b) COMMENT: The rules editor stated "Statement of the Penalty includes loss of down". He did not say "the penalty carries a loss of down". There is no down to lose after a change of team possession. 2014 NCAA Bulletin #1, Play #6, is where this play appeared.


3. RULING: A 1/goal B2; Snap. B55 committed an illegal kicking foul and also imparted new impetus. Depending on time remaining and point differential, Team A may take the two points for the safety. However, Team A will most likely accept the 10-yard penalty enforced half the distance from the end of A32's run, B's 4. The clock was stopped for the safety. If B55 batted the ball and not kicked the ball, there would be no foul but new impetus and the result of the play would be a safety.


4. RULING: Touchback. B 1/10 B20. The foul occurred after a change of team possession in the field of play. The related run ended in the end zone. Thus, the basic spot is B's goal line. Team B will decline the 10-yard penalty for illegally kicking the ball and take the result of the play. Acceptance of the penalty would result in B 1/10 B10. If B44 had intercepted the ball in B's end zone, it would be B 1/10 B30. (10-2-2-d-2-b) (2011 NCAA Bulletin #4, Play #3)


5. RULING: A 1/10 B16; Snap. Postscrimmage kick enforcement does not apply since Team A is in possession when the down ends. If the penalty did not result in a first down, Team A may want to take the ball, 1st and 10, on B's 24. Acceptance of the penalty would result in a safety if B44 did not fumble and Team B had possession of the ball when the down ended. It would be a touchdown if, after this bat by B44, a Team A player caught or recovered the ball in B's end zone.


6. RULING: A 1/10 A44; Snap. The foul occurred prior to the pass being thrown so the foul cannot be defensive pass interference. The legal forward pass crossed the neutral zone. The foul was against an eligible receiver. The foul occurred beyond the neutral zone. Therefore, the 10-yard penalty carries a first down.


7. RULING: A 1/10 B46. The pass was touched by A87 behind the neutral zone. Therefore, the pass did not cross the neutral zone. Ineligible receivers can go downfield at the snap, and also may block downfield, when the pass does not cross the neutral zone. It is offensive pass interference if an ineliglble blocks an opponent downfield, even up to three yards unless initial contact is within one yard of the neutral zone, and the legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone. (7-3-10, 7-3-8-b-1)


Rom Gilbert / pigskin@romgilbert.us / November 8, 2016 / (q-1603a)