Why did Juanyeh Thomas fall down ...

[GTRambler]

after he scooped up Miami’s fumbled punt near the goal line?

All Juanyeh had to do was waltz into the end zone for an easy touchdown!

I just couldn’t believe he quickly fell — or “slid down” — after securing the ball. He wasn’t touched.

Can anyone explain this one play? Our team ended up kicking a field goal after this happened.

 

[MountainBuzzMan]

because he could not advance it anyway. That was a fair catch

 

[CuseJacket]

Unless the rule has changed, the ball cannot be advanced on a muffed punt.
Muffed punt - Wikipedia

In the case of a fumble, the ball is live and can be returned by the team that recovers the ball. In the case of a muffed punt, it is possible for the punting team to recover the ball and continue the drive, but at least in NCAA and NFL rules, they cannot advance the ball on that same play.

Didn't find the official rule at first glance but someone can confirm.

 

[MountainBuzzMan]

Unless the rule has changed, the ball cannot be advanced on a muffed punt.
Muffed punt - Wikipedia


Didn't find the official rule at first glance but someone can confirm.

Interesting, I thought the fair catch was part of it. I did not know it was for any muffed punt

 

[33jacket]

Muffed punt no advance. Catch. Control. A step or two and fumble and he can advance.

 

[GTRambler]

Thanks, guys! I was not aware of that rule!

Now I know why Juanyeh did what he did after securing the ball. He apparently knew the rule!

 

[Deleted member 2897]

Thanks, guys! I was not aware of that rule!

Now I know why Juanyeh did what he did after securing the ball. He apparently knew the rule!

He’s a smart cat to know that in the heat of the moment as almost second nature.

 

[GTfan4Life]

That's why the ball was placed on the 10, instead of the 5 where Juanyeh went down. I was irritated at the game until someone else explained.

 

[OldJacketFan]

What caught my eye was the open hand shove that put the miami player on his a**!

PS knew the rule so wasn't worried about JT sliding down

 

[kg01]

If he had let it bounce into the endzone, then recovered it, it would've still been placed at the 10, right?

Eta: The push of UM returner on his way by was just pure gold -er- pure navy ( shout out, @Gold1 )

 

[Supersizethatorder-mutt]

If he had let it bounce into the endzone, then recovered it, it would've still been placed at the 10, right?

I don't think so. It's marked down at the point of recovery, so if he recovered it in the endzone, he would not have advanced it, and it should count as a TD. At least that's my take on it.

 

[GTRambler]

The punt was muffed at the 10. Even if Juanyeh had scooped the ball up inside the goal line, it still would not have counted as a touchdown anyway, according to the rule. Or is that right?? I’m a bit confused in exactly where the ball should be spotted in this scenario.

Did Juanyeh pick up the ball on the 10? If so, then maybe that’s why the ball was spotted there.

Will need to watch replay to confirm.

 

[Supersizethatorder-mutt]

The punt was muffed at the 10. Even if Juanyeh had scooped the ball up inside the goal line, it still would not have counted as a touchdown anyway, according to the rule. Or is that right?? I’m a bit confused in exactly where the ball should be spotted in this scenario.

Did Juanyeh pick up the ball on the 10? If so, then maybe that’s why the ball was spotted there.

Will need to watch replay to confirm.

I have watched the replay, and yes, he picked it up on the 10 (looked closer to the 11, actually). So apparently, based on what others are saying, that's why it was spotted there. He slid down on about the 5.

 

[GTRambler]

OK, thanks! Soooo, I guess if the ball had happened to bounce all the way back into the end zone and Juanyeh had happened to pick up the ball there, it would have been ruled a touchdown.

 

[ramblinjacket]

A little speculation on my part but maybe he also wasn’t 100% sure if it was touched. So going down ensures worst case it would be around the 5 for Miami instead of a touch back if he had run into the end zone.

 

[AlabamaBuzz]

That rule has existed for many, many years, in fact, maybe for decades and decades. I would have thought everyone knew muffed punts could not be advanced once the possession is made. Anyway, another great reason for sites like this, to educate and amaze.

 

[dressedcheeseside]

That rule has existed for many, many years, in fact, maybe for decades and decades. I would have thought everyone knew muffed punts could not be advanced once the possession is made. Anyway, another great reason for sites like this, to educate and amaze.

But it’s ok to advance muffed punts on the front end (dropped snaps, blocked punts, snaps over head of punter, etc...). Weird.

 

[alagold]

Wasn't Jun the one who caused their KO fumble? If yes, he sure gets involved in a lot the whole yr..Looking forward to him at S next yr.

 

[THWG]

Wasn't Jun the one who caused their KO fumble? If yes, he sure gets involved in a lot the whole yr..Looking forward to him at S next yr.

That was Carpenter.

 

[danny daniel]

Interesting, I thought the fair catch was part of it. I did not know it was for any muffed punt

Cannot advance a muffed punt but if possession is obtained (which it was not) you can advance it. JT downed it so there would be no opportunity for him to turn it over since he had obtained possession. Note how White downed the 2014 UGA interception to win the game. He went down so there was no opportunity for him to fumble it back to UGA. Very smart play by both players who obviously knew the rules and the in the moment circumstances.