Situation: 4th down and 10 yards
Play: Offense punts the ball but it's partially deflected by a rusher. The ball crosses the line of scrimmage by about two yards and is inadvertently touched by the defense (receiving team). The ball is then recovered by the kicking team but still five yards short of the 1st down marker.
Result: Officials awarded the ball to the kicking team with a new set of downs.
Is this correct? For the kicking team to keep the ball, doesn't the ball have to be recovered past the 1st down marker if the receiving team never had possession?
Thanks in advance!
Play: Offense punts the ball but it's partially deflected by a rusher. The ball crosses the line of scrimmage by about two yards and is inadvertently touched by the defense (receiving team). The ball is then recovered by the kicking team but still five yards short of the 1st down marker.
Result: Officials awarded the ball to the kicking team with a new set of downs.
Is this correct? For the kicking team to keep the ball, doesn't the ball have to be recovered past the 1st down marker if the receiving team never had possession?
Thanks in advance!
