Below find the correct responses to the Ref Quiz for Sept 2023

1)  TRUE or FALSE?  A passer who is deflagged when their arm is moving forward in an attempt to throw the ball is not considered down.

FALSE.  If the ball is still in the passer's hand when the flag is pulled, then the passer is considered down.  In the case of a tie -- the passer is deflagged at the same time as the ball is leaving their hand -- the passer is not considered down and play should continue.

2)  TRUE or FALSE?  A1 and B1 both secure the pass in the air at the same time. When they return to the ground, A1 is in bounds and B1 is out of bounds. Ruling: Completed simultaneous catch.

FALSE.  Rule 7.5.d says that an incomplete forward pass is a "pass which touches the ground; pass which goes out of bounds; pass possessed by a player who is in the air but first touches the ground out-of-bounds".  Since B1 is possessing the ball and first touches out of bounds when they come to the ground, that makes the ball out of bounds and results in an incomplete pass.

3)  TRUE or FALSE?  A punt is muffed at the R-2 yard line and lands out-of-bounds behind R’s goal line. Result: Safety.

FALSE.  Rule 8.4.1 says that a muff is not considered a new force.  Rule 8.4.3 says that "it is a touchback when any kick in flight is muffed and next touches the ground behind R’s goal line."

4)  TRUE or FALSE?  A touchdown is scored when a runner reaches the ball across the opponent's goal line even if no part of the runner’s body crossed the goal line prior to the deflag.

TRUE.  Rule 8.2.1.a says that "it is a touchdown when the runner advances from the field of play so that the ball penetrates the vertical plane of the opponent’s goal line."

5)  TRUE or FALSE?  It is third down and 5 on the A 30 yard-line.  A1 gains 11 yards, then throws an illegal forward pass.  Ruling: Penalize A 5 yards from the spot of the illegal forward pass. Since the yardage mark-off leaves the ball beyond the line-to-gain beanbag marker, it is 1st down.

TRUE.  An illegal forward pass foul is a "loss of down foul", but that just means that the fouling team loses the right to replay the down.  Rule 5.1.2.a says that after "a scrimmage down ends and after considering any live ball fouls, except unsportsmanlike fouls, with the ball in the field of play or out-of-bounds between the goal lines, a new series is to be awarded to Team A if the ball belongs to A on or beyond the line-to-gain."  This results in a 1st down for A.  No series can ever begin on a down other than first.