Golden Rankings: How Well Do You Know the Rules?

Situation: With the score tied and just a few seconds left in the game, team A snaps the ball on third down at their own 35. The QB drops back to pass and, under a heavy rush, throws an incomplete forward pass into an area where there are no eligible receivers. Time in the fourth quarter expires during the play.

Is the period extended for an additional play if team B accepts the intentional grounding penalty?

PAT after Time Expires

NCAA Situation: Team A trails 38-34. A back for Team A runs for a TD as the game clock goes to 0:00 in the fourth quarter, making the score 40-38 in favor of Team A. Team A's coach tells the referee that his team will not attempt the try.

Is this allowed?

Timeouts per Team

How many timeouts does each team get in regulation play?

Two Fouls on One Play

Situation: Third and seven in a colege game at the defensive team's 35. A defensive player is line dup in the neutral zone at the snap. The QB completes a pass to the TE who races toward the EZ. At the 10, he turns and taunts the players pursuing him and then crosses the goal line.

What is the ruling on this play?

When Clock Starts on NFL Kickoff

In the NFL, when does the clock start on a kickoff?

(A) When the ball is kicked?
(B) When the ball is legally touched in the field of play?

Interceptor Downed in End Zone

A defensive player intercepts a pass at his own 3y line. His momentum carries him into the end zone where he falls down.

Where does the ensuing possession begin?

Clock Stopped after First Down

The clock is stopped when the offensive team makes a first down even when the ball carrier is tackled inbounds.

Which one of the following is true for the rule stated above?

I. The rule applies only to NCAA football.
II. The rule applies only to the NFL.
III. The rule applies to both NCAA and NFL football.

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Punt Batted Back Onto Field

A punt hits at the 5 and bounces high over the goal line. Before the ball hits the ground in the end zone, a player from the kicking team jumps from the 1/2 yard line and while in the air bats the ball back into the field of play where it is downed by a teammate on the 2. The referee signals that the receiving team starts its possession on the 2.

Which one of the following is true for the ruling stated above?

I It applies to NCAA football but not the NFL.
II It applies in the NFL but not the NCAA.
III It applies to both NCAA and NFL football.
IV It applies to neither NCAA nor NFL football.

Player Stays Outside Huddle

Situation: In an NCAA game, the offensive team calls timeout and gathers at the numbers near its sideline. Included in the huddle are coaches and 15-20 squad members.

When the referee blows the whistle to mark the ball ready for play, 10 players trot into the offensive formation, but a player with number 88 remains at the top of the numbers as the coaches and remaining squad members return to the team area.

At the snap, #88 is one of four players in the offensive backfield. He runs a fly pattern near the sideline and catches a legal forward pass for a TD.

Is there any rules violation on the play?

Muffed Fair Catch

The following situation occurred in the LSU-Western Kentucky game 11/12/11.

Situation: LSU's Odell Beckham calls for a fair catch but muffs the punt at the 20. Teammate Craig Loston picks up the ball at the 17 and runs upfield until tackled at the 25. Western Kentucky is called for a face mask violation on the tackle.

Is the penalty enforced and, if so, from where?

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QB Runs toward Sideline before Snap

Situation: In an NCAA game, the QB lines up in shotgun formation. All players are stopped for a full second when the QB turns (no false start) and begins to trot toward his sidelinein apparent confusion about what play is to be called. He is moving parallel to his end line and is almost to his sideline when the ball is snapped to a TD 5y behind the C. The TB then completes a forward pass to the QB for a good gain.

Is this a legal play?

Is the Call Reviewable?

Situation: The QB drops back into the pocket and cocks his arm to throw a forward pass. The ball becomes loose and hits the ground. The referee rules fumble, and the play continues.

Is the referee's call reviewable?

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Guard Blocks 2y Downfield

Situation: The offense in a college game plays third down and seven at its own 40. At the snap, a G moves to the 42 where he blocks a LB either before or after the QB throws a forward pass that crosses the neutral zone. An eligible WR catches the ball at the opponent's 49 where he is tackled. After making his block, the guard does not go beyond his own 42.

Is there any violation on this play?

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