How do you score a touchdown?

Woody0 · Dec 30, 2007

When Oakland fumbles receiving a punt and San Diego finally covers the ball in the end zone why does it come back to the 4 yard line?

Why don't the refs or commentators explain the rule?

Or do they make it up as they go long?

CHOPTALK · Dec 30, 2007

Because you cant advance a muffed punt.

wilheim · Dec 30, 2007

You can't advance a muff - if the ball was dropped by the punt returner as he tried to catch it, it is ruled a muff. If he caught the punt and started running and then fumbled that is a different story and a routine fumble.

wil..

Woody0 · Dec 30, 2007

Then why the 4 yard line when he muffed it at around the 10?

wilheim · Dec 30, 2007

Woody O

Then why the 4 yard line when he muffed it at around the 10?

I would have to see the play itself to comment with any authority in that case.

wil.

wilheim · Dec 30, 2007

Looks like it was ruled a regular fumble which can be advanced.

4th-1, SD32 2:32 M. Scifres punt. J. Higgins returned punt for no gain. J. Higgins fumbled. K. Osgood recovered fumble. Then for some reason, maybe down by contact, the ball was spotted at the Oakland 4 yard line.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=560 border=0><TBODY class=ysptblcontent1><TR class=ysprow1><TD vAlign=top noWrap>1st-4, OAK4 2:25 M. Turner rushed to the left for no gain.

wil..
</TD><TD vAlign=top></TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Brooklynbomber · Dec 30, 2007

the 4 yd line is where Osgood first gained control of the ball

Woody0 · Dec 30, 2007

Thanks wil.

I'm pretty sure that it was around 10 yards and muffed, a Charger batted it forward, then it was moved forward again and recovered in the end zone. Somehow the zebras made it the 4 yard line.

I think I've asked this before, since in CFL once the receiving team touches a punt it becomes a live ball, even if it just accidentally hits his uniform. I'll try to remember this difference as well.

Woody0 · Dec 30, 2007

From nfl.com, muffs catch at OAK 24 so it was somehow ADVANCED to the OAK 4 before being recovered.

Not a fumble according to the NFL, which is correct.

4-1-SD32(2:45) M.Scifres punts 44 yards to OAK 24, Center-D.Binn. J.Higgins MUFFS catch, touched at OAK 24, RECOVERED by SD-K.Osgood at OAK 4. K.Osgood to OAK 4 for no gain (J.Bowie).