Question for rules experts

[sabach]

I was just watching a video of a Cal/Stanford type end of the game play and I had this question.

What if during one of those plays or say if a receiver breaks away and it is clear they are headed untouched into the endzone on the last play of the game, and a member of the opposing team leaves the sidelines and tackles them before they get into the endzone.

Clearly that is a penalty and there will be one more untimed down for the offense. But the refs can't award a touchdown on that can they?

 

[690West]

I believe the refs can award a TD under the “palpably unfair act” in the rules

I think this might have actually happened in the 1954 cotton bowl. I attached the video

Quirky Research: Blogging the NFL Rule Book: Palpably Unfair Act™

quirkyresearch.blogspot.com

 

[Qbobby]

I believe the refs can award a TD under the “palpably unfair act” in the rules

I think this might have actually happened in the 1954 cotton bowl

Quirky Research: Blogging the NFL Rule Book: Palpably Unfair Act™

quirkyresearch.blogspot.com

That is absolutely allowed. In that case the referee would have a pretty easy decision to make in awarding the TD

 

[upperdeck]

yup didnt one just happen in the last few years like this? not sure it was d1 though

Could have done it cal/stan play if they wanted and say the kid had fallen down short of the goal line.

 

[sabach]

Thanks guys. I knew I was asking the right people.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Did Stanford pay the "Cal Berkeley" tax?