Kickoff Touchback Question

[SU68]

I've noticed that the referee in several games has called a touchback on kickoffs that stay in the end zone without the ball being downed by the receiving team. I thought that it was a live ball until downed that the kicking team could recover for a touchdown. Am I wrong?

 

[690West]

I've noticed that the referee in several games has called a touchback on kickoffs that stay in the end zone without the ball being downed by the receiving team. I thought that it was a live ball until downed that the kicking team could recover for a touchdown. Am I wrong?

Used to Be live until downed. Now it’s dead

 

[orangeinohio]

In the NFL, it's a live ball if it bounces into the end zone on a kick off.
In college, if the ball is untouched by the returner and it lands on or behind the goal line (in other words, in the endzone), it's a dead ball.