Football Official

Football Official

Zebra

Somewhere in, NJ

Male, 62

I've officiated football for over 30 years, now in my 26th on the college level. I've worked NCAA playoffs at the Division II and III level. In addition, I've coached at the scholastic level and have been an educator for over 35 years. I have no interest whatsoever in being an NFL official! Ever!

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514 Questions

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

Why wasn't the first touchdown by packers in today's playoff game reviewed? It looked like his knee went down but it wasn't reviewed.

Asked by AM over 8 years ago

I didn't see it but in all likelihood it was since all scoring plays are automatically reviewed. It may not have been announced - usually aren't if there's no issue.

In Michigan Michigan State game, Spartans had onside kick attempt with one second left in the game. Assuming the needed only 1 to 8 points to win or tie, could they have recovered the onside kick and had an untimed down on offense? What scenario?

Asked by Gerry almost 9 years ago

I'm going to say no. The question above addresses that, too. The clock starts on the legal touch in the field of play. If there is one second left, as soon as the MSU player touches it legally, the clock starts. And with one second left - and K not being able to advance the kick - the clock goes to zero and the game is over.

I am the qb and I hand the ball off, and that person hands the ball off and then they toss it back to the qb, can you get a roughing the Passer penalty?????

Asked by Amy b almost 9 years ago

The foul is roughing the passer, not quarterback. NCAA rule defines the passer as: The passer is the player who throws a forward pass. He is a passer from the time he releases the ball until the pass is complete, incomplete or intercepted or until he moves to participate in the play.

If team A has a 3rd and goal situation on the 11 yd line and attempts a pass into the endzone and Team B commits a personal foul (not sure if it was roughing the QB or a target hit on the intended receiver).....what would be the course of action?

Asked by Confused almost 9 years ago

The easy part is if it's a targeting (in college) the player is ejected. A roughing the QB is an automatic first down (NCAA). Same for targeting. If there was no score on the play, that would create 1 & goal at the 5 1/2 yard line.

On the famous trick play South Dakota State scored on against NDSU, am I the only one who thinks SDSU should have been flagged for illegal formation. Every time I look at it I see 8 men on the line of scrimmage and 3 in the backfield. Throw the flag!

Asked by markelbertrea almost 9 years ago

It can't be that famous - I never heard of it. But I did look it up. And from what I can see here, it looks as if both 19 and 87 are on the line. To your specific point, it's ok to have eight on the line. The rule states, No more than four players may be backs There aren't. So that isn't a foul. It looks as if the play is legal. Don't throw the flag!



By Rule, is an offensive lineman (or any other offensive player) allowed to grasp the jersey of a defensive player when blocking?

Asked by MrMoJoe almost 8 years ago

The simple answer is no. Not by "rule". By rule you can't grasp, pull, or hook an opponent. But the reality is that players do grasp and it is "allowed" (and I use that term carefully) as long as the block (it is still blocking) is inside the frame of the opponent. If the "grasping" is in desperation because the defender got away and the blocker just grabs and pulls on the shirt and you see it stretch, you have holding. If the blocker grabs the defender's arms but doesn't take him down or turn him away from the play, it is likely going to be allowed.

On a kickoff if the ball hits the upright and falls back into play is it a live ball

Asked by Mike17gibbs@gmail.com almost 9 years ago

No. Goalposts is out of bounds. Touching something out of bounds makes the ball dead.