Fumble in the endzone rule

[Volumnus 2011]

One of the options I think works best would be giving the ball back at the spot of the fumble since you are not allowed forward progress on a fumble (unless they recently changed that rule, not sure but it used to be that way).

Obviously that rule has changed, or our TD against Appy State wouldnt have counted.

 

[LibertyVol]

One of the options I think works best would be giving the ball back at the spot of the fumble since you are not allowed forward progress on a fumble (unless they recently changed that rule, not sure but it used to be that way).

You are allowed forward progress on a fumble. This happened in the Georgia game on a Georgia fumble into the end zone. In the pros I think it is the spot of the fumble and you are not allowed forward progress.

 

[volfan102455]

As we all know, a forward fumble through the endzone and out of bounds results in a turnover and a touchback. This rule obviously helped us out vs. aTm. After thinking about it, this may be one of the strangest rules in football and needs to be changed IMO.

While this rule obviously helped us last week, it has hurt us in the past (2005/Anderson/Alabama and 2013/Pig Howard/UGA come to mind).

If the ball were fumbled out of bounds anywhere else on the field, it would go back to the team who last had possession of it (which makes total sense). It seems asinine to me that a team is rewarded with possession if they didn't actually recover it. IMO it should be placed on the 1 yd line or back at the spot of the fumble with no possession change. I'm sure some of you will disagree but thought it would be a fun topic to debate...

This one is fine. The players know the rule. If they are careless and drop the ball before they cross the goal line - shame on them.

If the defender knocks the ball away, they have made a great play and should either be rewarded with a chance to recover it or if it goes out of bounds with the ball.

If the rule was different, we would probably see some situations where the offensive player purposely fumbled close to the goal line especially if they are near the markers on the side line instead of being tackled in bounds or being pushed out without crossing the goal line. This rule actually works well with the fact that they have to have possession when the ball crosses the goal line. If you don't have this you can't always enforce the rule.

 

[SayNoToJorts]

You are allowed forward progress on a fumble. This happened in the Georgia game on a Georgia fumble into the end zone. In the pros I think it is the spot of the fumble and you are not allowed forward progress.

Did a little bit of research because I'ma nerd about this stuff. Actually if you look at Rule 7-6 it explains that

When a fumble goes OB in advance of the fumble, the ball is returned to that spot and the clock is started on the ready (any time during the game). If the fumble goes OB behind the spot, it shall be placed at the corresponding inbounds line and the clock will start on the ready unless there are fewer than 2 minutes remaining in the 2nd or 4th quarters

So it only advances if it is recovered, making my recommendation consistent with the ball being returned to the spot of the fumble.

NCAA College Football Rule 7 Review | Pro Football Referee Blog

 

[volinbham]

The current rule makes the most sense. If one remembers who has possession the ball before it went into the end zone, then the rule is consistant. If you are the last person to have possession of the ball when goes into the end zone before going out of bounds, either on the side line or the back end of the end zone, it is a touchback and the ball goes to the defense at the 20 yard line. If it recovered within the end zone by the offense it is a touchdown. If it is recovered in the end zone by the defense, it is a touchback. When Foreman knocked the ball out of the runner's hand, he was the last to have possession of the ball in bounds. If the ball had stayed in the end zone and the ball carrier recovered it, it would have been a touchdown. If a Tennessee had recovered the ball in the end zone, it would have been a touchback.

I think/hope it got all of this correct.

This is correct and makes sense given the rules of the endzone. Well done.