[lex24]

On the Lamson fumble, where is the ball supposed to be spotted? Was it from where the fumble occurred or where the ball is recovered by Irvin?  Either way, it sure looked like the ball was past the 35 yard line for either criteria.  The ref starts out running at about the 35.5 yard line and then suddenly veers and puts the ball at the 34.5 yard line.  On the replay from behind, it sure seemed like Irvin falls on the ball on the other side of the 35.  I think we got hosed on that call.

My understanding of the rule is the ball is placed at the spot of the fumble. If the ball is recovered by the O and the spot results in a first down, the O retains possession. In this case, the spot did not result in a first down, therefore, even though the O recovered the fumble, the ball is turned over.  

You can thank Dave Casper for this situation.  It was the “Holy Roller” play that provided the impetus to create the rule in the NFL and, subsequently, at the college level.

The Casper rule is that no one other than the fumbler can advance the ball.  But if the fumble goes backwards and a player recovers, that becomes the spot.(I also think the rule only applies in last 2 minutes, although it may have been extended to include 4th downs).

Lamson fumbled and the ball went back a bit.  The spot then, I think, should be where it was recovered.

[lex24]

On the Lamson fumble, where is the ball supposed to be spotted? Was it from where the fumble occurred or where the ball is recovered by Irvin?  Either way, it sure looked like the ball was past the 35 yard line for either criteria.  The ref starts out running at about the 35.5 yard line and then suddenly veers and puts the ball at the 34.5 yard line.  On the replay from behind, it sure seemed like Irvin falls on the ball on the other side of the 35.  I think we got hosed on that call.

My understanding of the rule is the ball is placed at the spot of the fumble. If the ball is recovered by the O and the spot results in a first down, the O retains possession. In this case, the spot did not result in a first down, therefore, even though the O recovered the fumble, the ball is turned over.  

You can thank Dave Casper for this situation.  It was the “Holy Roller” play that provided the impetus to create the rule in the NFL and, subsequently, at the college level.

The Casper rule is that no one other than the fumbler can advance the ball.  But if the fumble goes backwards and a player recovers, that becomes the spot.(I also think the rule only applies in last 2 minutes, although it may have been extended to include 4th downs).

Lamson fumbled and the ball went back a bit.  The spot then, I think, should be where it was recovered.