Saw this on national TV many years ago ~ SEC game on Thanksgiving.

 

Running back breaks a long run from the line of scrimage and is racing down the opposing team's sideline for an apparent TD. Out of the clear blue - a non-player appears from the sidelines and trips the running back that was headed for the go ahead score! It was so long ago I forgot how the foul was administered.

 

As we near the end of the regular season and head into the playoffs - stranger things happen during the heat of the battle.

 

What would the ruling be on this one? To simplify the response, we'll say the running back gets tackled by a non-player at the 50 yard line...

Saw this on national TV many years ago ~ SEC game on Thanksgiving.

 

Running back breaks a long run from the line of scrimage and is racing down the opposing team's sideline for an apparent TD. Out of the clear blue - a non-player appears from the sidelines and trips the running back that was headed for the go ahead score! It was so long ago I forgot how the foul was administered.

 

As we near the end of the regular season and head into the playoffs - stranger things happen during the heat of the battle.

 

What would the ruling be on this one? To simplify the response, we'll say the running back gets tackled by a non-player at the 50 yard line...

 

If there was no doubt be was going to the house, then it would be an "unfair act" and he would be awarded a touchdown.

Not sure of the rule at that time, but now it IS a touchdown regardless if there was a chance because of not knowing that the runner could have avoided the tackle.

 

Oh yea, the non-player, gets an early shower, 15 yard penalty which by rule now can be on the extra point or taken on the kick off since the foul was a live ball foul.

Didn't this play happen in the 50s?

Didn't this play happen in the 50s?

 

I would say mid 60's... I think it was in black and white on the tube. I will never forget that game as a result of the blatant foul.

Not sure of the rule at that time, but now it IS a touchdown regardless if there was a chance because of not knowing that the runner could have avoided the tackle.

 

Oh yea, the non-player, gets an early shower, 15 yard penalty which by rule now can be on the extra point or taken on the kick off since the foul was a live ball foul.

 

Thanks for the reply... I will probably never see that one again.

This happened in the 1954 Rice - Alabama Cotton Bowl game.

 

Link:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_Bowl_(game)

 

 

The 1954 Cotton Bowl featured one of the most famous plays in college football history. Rice's Dickey Moegle began a run around from the 10 yard line and down the open field. Alabama's Tommy Lewis jumped off the bench and tackled Maegle. The referee Cliff Shaw saw what happened and signaled touchdown even though Maegle was "tackled" at the 42 yard line.

 

 

The final score was Rice 28 Alabama 7.

Saw this on national TV many years ago ~ SEC game on Thanksgiving.

 

Running back breaks a long run from the line of scrimage and is racing down the opposing team's sideline for an apparent TD. Out of the clear blue - a non-player appears from the sidelines and trips the running back that was headed for the go ahead score! It was so long ago I forgot how the foul was administered.

 

As we near the end of the regular season and head into the playoffs - stranger things happen during the heat of the battle.

 

What would the ruling be on this one? To simplify the response, we'll say the running back gets tackled by a non-player at the 50 yard line...

 

 

 

The referee can award a score for any "unfair-act". I would think in this case the result would be a TD.

This happened in the 1954 Rice - Alabama Cotton Bowl game.

 

Link:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_Bowl_(game)

 

 

The 1954 Cotton Bowl featured one of the most famous plays in college football history. Rice's Dickey Moegle began a run around from the 10 yard line and down the open field. Alabama's Tommy Lewis jumped off the bench and tackled Maegle. The referee Cliff Shaw saw what happened and signaled touchdown even though Maegle was "tackled" at the 42 yard line.

 

 

The final score was Rice 28 Alabama 7.

 

Thanks Hatz!

I know I didn't see this one on the tube... I would have been a negative 1 at that point. Don't know how you pulled that article out. Awesome baby!