QUIZ ANSWERS: 2008 WEEK #4


1. RULING: B 1/10 B3. The fourth down fumble by Team A was recovered in advance of the spot of the fumble. The ball is returned to the spot of the fumble, B's 6, which is short of a first down. The series ends. The 15-yard penalty for B56's dead ball personal foul is enforced half the distance from the succeeding spot, B's 6.


2. RULING: A 2/15 A35. The clock starts on the snap. The referee will invoke Rule 3-4-3. The referee's judgment in invoking Rule 3-4-3 is based on the score, time, down, weather conditions, etc. Application of Rule 3-4-3 is not dependent upon whether the team fouled in an obvious attempt to consume time regardless of the technical wording of the rule. The referee need not read intent.


3. RULING: A 2/9 A31. The clock will start on the snap. Dead ball foul. A79 commits a false start since he is numbered 50-79 and had a hand at or near the ground before he moved. Time will be put back on the clock.


4. RULING: A 4/6 A34. The clock starts on the snap. Offsetting fouls. Postscrimmage kick enforcement does not apply since Team A has legal possession of the ball when the kick ends. If a Team B player recovered the ball on B's 37 while grounded, Team B could decline offsetting fouls. Team A would then accept the penalty for B56's holding foul. The 10-yard penalty would be enforced from the end of the kick, B's 37.


5. RULING: A 3/8 A22. The clock starts on the snap. The result of the play is a safety. Batting a fumble in flight does not impart new impetus. However, B77 commits an illegal batting foul by batting the fumble forward. The 15-yard penalty is enforced from the end of A44's run, A's 7.


6. RULING: A 4/1 B21. The clock starts on the ready. Momentum applies and the ball is returned to the spot of the interception, B's 4. Since the ball is ruled to have become dead in the field of play, the clock starts on the ready.


7. RULING: Touchback. B 1/10 B20. After Team A declines the penalty, Team B will elect to take the ball at the spot of illegal touching, B's end zone. Team A will not get the ball on B's 4. Postscrimmage kick enforcement does not apply since Team A is considered in legal possession of the ball when the kick ends. If accepted, the 10-yard penalty would be enforced from the previous spot, B's 49.


Rom Gilbert / rom.gilbert@sfcc.edu / September 15, 2008 / (q-0804a)