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What is the Rule?


OlderWhiskey

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D.J. Shockley, on a scramble near midfield, kept his balance for a few more yards by touching the ball to the ground. Shouldn't he have been called down at that spot? Something similar happened several years ago, the year UT won the NC. Arkansas was winning in Knoxville, but Arky QB Clint Stoerner touched the ball to the ground and failed to pick it back up. This was ruled a fumble, and UT went on to score, win the game, and ultimately the NC. Many folks said at the time that Stoerner should have been ruled down where he touched the ball to the ground. What's the rule on this?

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NCAA Rules

Rule 4      Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds

Section 1. Ball in Play -- Dead Ball

Ball Declared Dead

Article 3.  A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound his whistle or  declare it dead: 

b.  When any part of the runner's body, except his hand or foot, touches the ground or when the runner is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his body except his hand or foot.

There's no difference between Shockley touching the ball to the ground to keep his balance and someone reaching down to scoop up a fumble.

I don't recall what Stoerner did but if he left the ball on the ground and didn't pick it back up ... ... (what a dumb-azz!)

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