Re: College Football II: The BCS hits the Fan
I think that only applies on fumbles beyond the line of scrimmage and/or fumbles forward. This fits neither category. I'll try to look it up later since I'm guessing the rulebook is blocked here at work.
Ok, it's only semi-blocked at work (I can use "quota time" to get to it), so I got the rule book.
That rule does apply to any fumble regardless of location or direction. The question becomes, then, whether by hitting the ground it turned from a "backward pass" into a "fumble." Basiaclly, I haven't yet found anything that says a backward pass becomes a fumble simply by hitting the ground.
Rule 2-10:
Fumble
ARTICLE 1. A fumble is any act other than passing, kicking or successful
handing that results in loss of player possession (A.R. 2-19-2-I, A.R. 4-1-3-I
and A.R. 7-2-2-I).
Rule 2-19:
Passing
ARTICLE 1. Passing the ball is throwing it.
A pass continues to be a pass
until it is caught or intercepted by a player or the ball becomes dead.
Forward and Backward Pass
ARTICLE 2. a. A forward pass is determined by the point where the ball
first strikes the ground, a player, an official or anything beyond the spot
of the pass.
All other passes are backward passes.
Edit 1: Found the actual rule involved:
Rule 7-2:
Caught or Recovered
ARTICLE 2. a. When a backward pass or fumble is caught or recovered by
any inbounds player, the ball continues in play (A.R. 7-2-2-I and II, A.R.
2-23-1-I).
Exceptions:
1. Rule 8-3-2-d-5 (Team A fumble on the try).
2. On fourth down before a change of team possession, when a Team
A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the
fumbler, the ball is dead. If the catch or recovery is beyond the spot
of the fumble, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. If the
catch or recovery is behind the spot of the fumble, the ball remains
at the spot of the catch or recovery.
Still doesn't say whether a backward pass that hits the ground becomes a fumble or not. My inclination is that it isn't, but I'll keep looking.
Edit 2: From the approved rulings:
SECTION 23. Snapping the Ball
Approved Ruling 2-23-1
I. Fourth and goal on Team B’s five-yard line. A55’s legal snap is
muffed by A12 and (a) any player of Team A recovers and advances
the ball into the end zone, or (b) a player of Team B recovers and
advances the ball. RULING: The snap is a backward pass and may
be advanced by any player. (a) Touchdown. Since this is a backward
pass and not a fumble there is no restriction on a Team A player
recovering and advancing the ball. (b) Ball continues in play.
While not an identical situation, I think it provides enough evidence that not everything that touches the ground is a fumble, since a muffed snap is deemed a backwards pass and can be advanced.
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