Ruling on opening kickoff?

[colonel-fan]

What was the official ruling on the opening kickoff?

1) If a fair catch was signaled and the ball is dropped but immediately picked up, is the play dead?
2) Why wouldn't the ball be placed at the 25 yard line?

 

[gamecockcat]

Saw the same thing in the USC-UCLA game later. Kick returner signaled fair catch dropped the ball and then fell on it. Evidently, if the receiver muffs the kickoff after Signaling for a fair catch, wherever he gains control of the ball, it's dead right there.

 

[SpamburgerHamburger]

The contention yesterday was if he even called a fair catch, dudes arms moved as he scrambled to get out the way and ref thought he did.

 

[colonel-fan]

So the refs applied the rule correctly, once you assume he did signal for the fair catch.

Didn't think the rules expert did a good job explaining what the rule was during the telecast.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

That was “NOT” a fair catch signal, not even close.
Set the tone for a day full of SEC cheatin refs.

 

[travisbickle]

The contention yesterday was if he even called a fair catch, dudes arms moved as he scrambled to get out the way and ref thought he did.

The ball must’ve been swirling a bit in the wind and surprised Brown. He was trying to adjust and swing his arm around. Definitely not a fair catch signal.

 

[Girthang]

I expected more of, "The ruling on the field is 'Georgia is undefeated' and there will be no further review."

Didn't seem that way at first glance. Will rewatch the game tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Chad Rock]

Saw the same thing in the USC-UCLA game later. Kick returner signaled fair catch dropped the ball and then fell on it. Evidently, if the receiver muffs the kickoff after Signaling for a fair catch, wherever he gains control of the ball, it's dead right there.

So if you give the fair catch signal and catch the ball cleanly, it’s placed at the 25?

But if you give the fair catch signal and drop or muff the ball but still retain possession, it’s down right at that spot?

Didn’t know that.

 

[gamecockcat]

So if you give the fair catch signal and catch the ball cleanly, it’s placed at the 25?

But if you give the fair catch signal and drop or muff the ball but still retain possession, it’s down right at that spot?

Didn’t know that.

That's the rule. And I didn't know that, either.

 

[know1]

The call that mystified me more was that Levis wasn't allowed to come back in the game after the false start penalty. Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but why not? They didn't call an injury timeout that I noticed, because he came right off.

 

[vhcat70]

Saw the same thing in the USC-UCLA game later. Kick returner signaled fair catch dropped the ball and then fell on it. Evidently, if the receiver muffs the kickoff after Signaling for a fair catch, wherever he gains control of the ball, it's dead right there.

I think it's beyond that. If FC signaled & ball touches ground, that's it, muff first or just pick it up after not touching.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Didn't think the rules expert did a good job explaining what the rule was during the telecast.

He was the weakest link on the broadcast crew. Blew it later in the game on the interception where the block in the back was waived off.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

The ball must’ve been swirling a bit in the wind and surprised Brown.

I can believe that. At no point in that kickoff did he appear locked on to the ball’s trajectory. I wondered whether it was wind or maybe he lost in in the sun.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

That was “NOT” a fair catch signal, not even close.
Set the tone for a day full of SEC cheatin refs.

Ya it was an awful call. Looked like he was shielding the sun, getting balance, or something similar. Such a bad start to the game. Credit to the team for fighting through it and making a nice drive anyway

 

[NostraDanis]

The "Rules Guy" made himself sound stupid by repeatedly calling it an "invalid fair-catch signal". Well, duh. In other words, he did NOT signal for a fair catch!
That guy always falls all over himself to toe the company line - he probably thought it was just dandy earlier in the day when the refs gave Florida a bogus extra chance to beat Vandy.

 

[bbncal02]

It was blown. He didn’t signal fair catch. Never seen that little of motion called that. And Brown obviously didn’t think he had because he ran with the ball.

I have no respect for college officials anymore.

 

[K_TIME]

That was the biggest reach to assume that was a fair catch. The ref went out of his way to read into the action. Why replay wasn’t obvious is another sec Making crap up

The best decision would be inadvertently whistle and re kick or give Uk the ball at 25. Yet we get at our 5.

Whatever it takes to get top ranked steams to win

 

[howercat]

So let's say he doesn't signal fair catch, the ball hits the ground. He picks it up and goes to his knee at the 5. Doesn't the ball go to the 25?

 

[Kats meow]

It was blown. He didn’t signal fair catch. Never seen that little of motion called that. And Brown obviously didn’t think he had because he ran with the ball.

I have no respect for college officials anymore.

It looked like he started to signal fair catch but was indecisive. Why else would he briefly raise his hand?

 

[travisbickle]

It looked like he started to signal fair catch but was indecisive. Why else would he briefly raise his hand?

It’s possible but on the replay I thought he was trying to track the ball and was twisting to get himself under the ball and his arm was extended as he adjusted.

 

[Johnfarrel]

That was “NOT” a fair catch signal, not even close.
Set the tone for a day full of SEC cheatin refs.

His hand never went above his head.

 

[bbncal02]

It looked like he started to signal fair catch but was indecisive. Why else would he briefly raise his hand?

Lots of reasons. Twisting of the body, walking waiving off a teammate, catch his balance etc. even the clueless announcers said that wasn’t even close to a fair catch sign.

 

[maysvilleky]

Bottom line it shouldn’t have been a fair catch. But also had no impact on the game. The three failed attempts to get 1 yd definitely did.

 

[mdlUK.1]

Bottom line it shouldn’t have been a fair catch. But also had no impact on the game. The three failed attempts to get 1 yd definitely did.

Didn’t we throw for a long first down? No gain, 1 yard gain, penalty, 31 yard pass.

 

[maysvilleky]

Didn’t we throw for a long first down? No gain, 1 yard gain, penalty, 31 yard pass.

Yes. I was referring to the plays from the 31 yd line when we couldn’t gain 1 yd on 3 plays.

 

[Kats meow]

Lots of reasons. Twisting of the body, walking waiving off a teammate, catch his balance etc. even the clueless announcers said that wasn’t even close to a fair catch sign.

No they didn’t.

 

[Chad Rock]

So let's say he doesn't signal fair catch, the ball hits the ground. He picks it up and goes to his knee at the 5. Doesn't the ball go to the 25?

No, if he takes a knee, that’s where the ball is spotted.

 

[Chad Rock]

It looked like he started to signal fair catch but was indecisive. Why else would he briefly raise his hand?

It didn’t look like he raised his arm for a fair catch which basically is hand high over your head with a motion back and forth. It looked like the ball took a little turn and in order to adjust to it, he reacted and his left arm/hand going up a little allowed him the balance needed

 

[Kats meow]

It didn’t look like he raised his arm for a fair catch which basically is hand high over your head with a motion back and forth. It looked like the ball took a little turn and in order to adjust to it, he reacted and his left arm/hand going up a little allowed him the balance needed

Uh, OK.

 

[Chad Rock]

Uh, OK.

It’s simply my opinion after watching them show the reply about 10 times, ok?

 

[Kats meow]

It’s simply my opinion after watching them show the reply about 10 times, ok?

Uh, OK.

 

[Chad Rock]

Uh, OK.

Uh, alrighty then.

 

[K_TIME]

It looked like he started to signal fair catch but was indecisive. Why else would he briefly raise his hand?

His hand never went above his head...so how can that be inferred as a fair catch. I always thought a fair catch was waving hand over head and somewhat vociferously. Barion did nothing that looked like that.

 

[Deeeefense]

The call that mystified me more was that Levis wasn't allowed to come back in the game after the false start penalty. Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but why not? They didn't call an injury timeout that I noticed, because he came right off.

It wasn't a play, it was a pre-snap penalty

 

[howercat]

No, if he takes a knee, that’s where the ball is spotted.

Unless this occurs in the endzone I think

 

[vhcat70]

So let's say he doesn't signal fair catch, the ball hits the ground. He picks it up and goes to his knee at the 5. Doesn't the ball go to the 25?

Once ball hits ground in field of play, not EZ, the 25 yd line FC rule is off.

 

[Deeeefense]

This is the NFL rule but I'm pretty sure the college rule is the same and based on this, the booth rules analyst was correct it was an invalid fair catch signal and the ball should be spotted where it was recovered:

Item 1. Valid Fair-Catch Signal. A fair-catch signal is valid if it is made while the kick is in flight by a player who fully extends one arm above his helmet and waves it from side to side. A receiver is permitted to legally raise his hand(s) to his helmet to shield his eyes from the sun, but is not permitted to raise them above his helmet except to signal for a fair catch.

Item 2. Invalid Fair-Catch Signal. If a player raises his hand(s) above his shoulder(s) in any other manner, it is an invalid fair-catch signal. If there is an invalid fair-catch signal, the ball is dead when caught or recovered by any player of the receiving team, but it is not a fair catch. (The ball is not dead if it touches an opponent before or after it strikes the ground. See Article 3b).

Fair Catch | NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

 

[vhcat70]

His hand never went above his head...

I thought it did, but whatever. Certainly didn't wave it.

 

[Chad Rock]

Unless this occurs in the endzone I think

Oh yeah, correct. In the end zone it’s placed at the 25.

 

[K_TIME]

I thought it did, but whatever. Certainly didn't wave it.

I see your point....but to what we've always seen as a definite fair catch, everybody (even UGA fans) would admit a person....it was nothing even remote to a fair catch.

Here is the attached link of the game.....5 min-7 min mark is the play. it is 100% apparent that he never went above his helmet. It was a short kick and Brown put his arm in front of his helmet to react to get to the ball. The ref had to really decide to put himself in the game and on replay it was clear it was not that...but they stick with the BS call for whatever the reason. Same old SEC bullcrap