Rules review video: Targeting with another foul, downing punts, and muffed fair-catch kickoffs

2024 media video #1

National coordinator of football officials Steve Shaw posted his first weekly video of 2024 breaking down rules and interpretations from the partial opening week — “Week 0” — of the college football season.

A reminder is that these are rules-review videos, and not a highlights of controversial calls. So the “what about…” play from your alma mater’s game is not necessarily going to be covered, unless there is a rule or interpretation question.

• Targeting with an underlying foul. There was only one targeting foul in Week 0.  Reminder that a QB is considered down as soon as he starts his movement toward the ground and initiates his slide.  Defender #13 lead with his helmet and made forceable contact above the shoulders, so #13 was penalized for targeting.  Replay confirmed all aspects of targeting.  If targeting alone is called, replay can overturn and remove the penalty and yardage.  However, if an unnecessary roughness foul is called “with targeting”, the team will be penalized 15 yards no matter the result of the targeting review because of the personal foul call.
• Downed punt vs. touchback. This play illustrates a difference between NCAA and NFL rules.  A first touch recovery by the kicking team on a punt play is considered downed once a kicking team player fully controls the ball within the field a play no matter if the player then enters the endzone after that control and recovery.  In the NFL, if the player enters the endzone after recovery and control, it is a touchback for the receiving team.
• Muffed fair catch on a kickoff. A return player must complete the entire process of the fair catch on a kickoff to obtain possession of the ball at the 25-yard line. If a return player muffs the ball into the field of play and recovers it, the team will NOT be awarded the ball at the 25-yard line, but at the point of recovery by the return team and will not be allowed to advance the ball because of the fair catch signal. 
• Legal low block on the line. Linemen can block below the waist within the tackle box until the ball leaves the tackle box.  The tackle box extends to the offense’s endline and extends 5 yards to each side of the snapper.  Backs can also block below the waist in the tackle box if it is from the front.
• Pass/fumble in replay. The hardest call for a Referee make is the pass/fumble call for a QB being hit while attempting a forward pass.  The QB must have firm control of the ball when his hand starts its forward movement for the play to be considered a forward pass and not a fumble. In this play, the on-field call was fumble and replay did not have sufficient evidence to overturn.
• Signal of “no return.” Occasionally a kick returner will extend his arms out in a “T” signal, or will wave out as if “declining” to return the kick. The signal is meant to tell his teammates that he will not be returning the ball.  It is not an approved signal recognized by the officials, so it is just ignored. This is not a valid or invalid fair catch signal because the arms stay below the shoulder and do not wave or move.