March 11, 2006
If a turnover occurs during a play and the return team fumbles the ball and turns it back over to the original team of possession, what is the next down? Is it first and 10 or does it go back to the original down number? — TJ
Rule 7-1-1 states that: “A new series of downs is awarded to the offensive team when … (b) the ball is dead in the field of play in the offense’s possession after having been in the defensive team’s possession during the same down.” So in the situation that you pose, it would be a new set of downs for the offense with a new line to gain from the point where the play ends. Basically, any time there is a change of possession, the next play will be first and 10 for the team last in possession at the end of the previous play (absent any penalties, of course.)
March 2, 2006
If on a running play the ball is fumbled forward into the endzone and recovered by another player on the offense, is the play a touchdown or is it an illegal touch? – TJ T.
This is another one of those NFL rules where it depends on what point in the game the play occurs and what down it is when the play occurs.
For most of the game, a forward fumble into the end zone recovered by a player of the offensive team in the end zone other than the fumbling player results in a touchdown. However, Rule 8-4-2 states that: "If a fourth down fumble occurs during a play from scrimmage and the recovery or catch is by another offensive player, the spot of the next snap is (a) the spot of the fumble unless the spot of recovery is behind the spot of the fumble in which case it is then the spot of recovery." The supplemental note to that rule states that: "After the two minute warning, for any fumble that occurs during a [any] down (including a try), the ball is next put in play at the spot of the fumble except if the recovery spot is behind the spot of the fumble ... ." [This latter note is the result of the Dave Casper of the Oakland Raiders forward fumble into the end zone on a 4th down play in the 1970's.]
So you have to be sure what down it is and when the play occurs before making the call. This is one of the rules that the officials discuss/remind themselves of during the break for the two minute warning.
By the way, this is one of those rules that is basically the same in college where any 4th down fumble can only be recovered by the fumbling player at any time in the game but very different in high school.
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