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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Can multiple players wear the same number as long as they are not on the field at the same time and as long as they play within the jersey number allowed for that position. In other words can an offense have two #80 WRs that would rotate in and out

Asked by Bravovictor about 11 years ago

You had a yes answer until you threw in that last line. I'm going to deal with NCAA rules. Rule 1-4-2-e reads: Two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game. [Italics added] The obvious reason is deception and unsportsmanlike activity. You could, in theory, have a #80 playing WR and also have an 80 at defensive end. To take it one step further, if you do have two 80's, for example, they cannot be in the gane at the same time.

710 Votes

Could offside been called on the kicker doing the onside kick in the game last night? The kicker's plant foot was across the line planted on the ground before he kicked the ball.

Asked by Darryl about 9 years ago

No foul. The kicker is the only player who can be in advance of the ball on a free kick. Interesting how so many people have asked this for this pkay, yet it happens on virtually every onside kick. A lot of anti-Bama fans out there.

710 Votes

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

Asked by Reese over 10 years ago

You're talking NFL illegal contact beyond 5 yards. Offensive pass interference (OPI) rules begin with the snap. If a receiver makes contact - not just brushing past a defender or trying to get away - it is OPI. Defensive pass iterference begins once the ball is thriown.

709 Votes

Does a college football coach have the option of declining a "running into the punter" penalty and simply accept the result of his team's punt?

Asked by LaVerne about 10 years ago

Technically, you can decline any penalty. Running into is a five yard penalty. I've seen that often. If you don't get a first down with five yards and it was a great punt, flip the field and decline the penalty.

707 Votes

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Why was the pass that was challenged in the Michigan/Rutgers game ruled incomplete

Asked by Bob over 10 years ago

Don't know. From a "source", the replay people had no qualms about saying no catch once they saw the ball on the ground. On the field, it was ruled differently by the two officials on that sideline. It was "interesting".

706 Votes

If 2 penalties on defense such as off sides and pass interferences which one is called it doesn't matter if flag was thrown first for off sides

Asked by Rick over 10 years ago

You can't enforce two live ball fouls against the same team as you describe it. In this case, you decline the off side foul and accept the more serious/significant DPI.

706 Votes

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

Asked by Tim about 10 years ago

In college or hs, the ball is dead when player hits ground so that is a touchback. In NFL, a player can get up and run. It would appear that we have a fumble.

706 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

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Can multiple players wear the same number as long as they are not on the field at the same time and as long as they play within the jersey number allowed for that position. In other words can an offense have two #80 WRs that would rotate in and out

Could offside been called on the kicker doing the onside kick in the game last night? The kicker's plant foot was across the line planted on the ground before he kicked the ball.

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

Does a college football coach have the option of declining a "running into the punter" penalty and simply accept the result of his team's punt?

Also on Jobstr...

Why was the pass that was challenged in the Michigan/Rutgers game ruled incomplete

If 2 penalties on defense such as off sides and pass interferences which one is called it doesn't matter if flag was thrown first for off sides

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Can multiple players wear the same number as long as they are not on the field at the same time and as long as they play within the jersey number allowed for that position. In other words can an offense have two #80 WRs that would rotate in and out

Could offside been called on the kicker doing the onside kick in the game last night? The kicker's plant foot was across the line planted on the ground before he kicked the ball.

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

Does a college football coach have the option of declining a "running into the punter" penalty and simply accept the result of his team's punt?

Also on Jobstr...

Why was the pass that was challenged in the Michigan/Rutgers game ruled incomplete

If 2 penalties on defense such as off sides and pass interferences which one is called it doesn't matter if flag was thrown first for off sides

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

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