So apparently in college football, if a quarterback throws a backwards pass, the receiver doesn't have to catch the ball: he can knock the ball forward for positive yardage.
Sounds weird, doesn't it? I wouldn't believe it either if it didn't happen in today's Nebraska-Minnesota Big 10 matchup.
Here's what happened: in the first quarter, Nebraska had a 4th and 1 situation on the Minnesota 13-yard line. The Nebraska quarterback ran an option left and pitched the ball backwards to running back Aaron Green, who got both hands on the ball but never had control of it. In Green's attempt to make the catch, he knocked the ball forwards, and the ball went out of bounds on the 11-yard line, 1 yard past the first down marker.
You would think that the standard rule that the ball can not be advanced on a fumble would apply here, and since this was a fourth down play, Nebraska would lose possession on downs. However, the officials instead ruled that the play was a backwards pass, not a fumble, and the result of the play stood as a first down for Nebraska.
Fortunately, the ruling on this play had no effect on the final outcome, as Nebraska won the game over Minnesota 41-14. However, this still seems like a terrible rule that needs to be changed immediately.
ABC video courtesy of Youtube.
Nebraska Gains 1st Down On Strange Backwards Pass, Forward Fumble [Sports Grid]
Sounds weird, doesn't it? I wouldn't believe it either if it didn't happen in today's Nebraska-Minnesota Big 10 matchup.
Here's what happened: in the first quarter, Nebraska had a 4th and 1 situation on the Minnesota 13-yard line. The Nebraska quarterback ran an option left and pitched the ball backwards to running back Aaron Green, who got both hands on the ball but never had control of it. In Green's attempt to make the catch, he knocked the ball forwards, and the ball went out of bounds on the 11-yard line, 1 yard past the first down marker.
You would think that the standard rule that the ball can not be advanced on a fumble would apply here, and since this was a fourth down play, Nebraska would lose possession on downs. However, the officials instead ruled that the play was a backwards pass, not a fumble, and the result of the play stood as a first down for Nebraska.
Fortunately, the ruling on this play had no effect on the final outcome, as Nebraska won the game over Minnesota 41-14. However, this still seems like a terrible rule that needs to be changed immediately.
ABC video courtesy of Youtube.
Nebraska Gains 1st Down On Strange Backwards Pass, Forward Fumble [Sports Grid]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
