OK, so UT muffs an extra point attempt against Texas A&M. The ball, which was never held properly, is kicked into the end zone, where an Aggie falls on it. The refs then award UT a one-point “safety”, which apparently must be kosher since A&M Coach Fraudchione isn’t blowing a gasket over it. I know that if the Aggie had picked it pu and run it back it would’ve been two points their way, but I’m boggled as to why this isn’t simply a touchback/dead ball.
Like the announcers, I’ve never seen or heard of this before. What would the call have been if a UT player had fallen on the ball? If the only good outcome for A&M after this kind of blown PAT attempt is for the ball to roll out of the end zone on its own, then maybe this is a dumb rule. Anyone out there have a better perspective on this one?
UPDATE: Lynn Swann finally gave an explanation that made sense. Apparently, the muffed kick was picked up in the field of play by an Aggie, and in the course of bringing it back, he fumbled it into the endzone. When another Aggie fell on it there, it became a one-point safety by rule 8-3-1. That’s still the weirdest play I’ve seen in a long, long time.
UPDATE: The Chron explains the play.
Strangest thing I’ve ever seen. But a close second was Texas managing to screw up the coint toss against Arkansas forcing them to kick off both the opening kickoff and the second half kick.
If you think about it, it makes sense.
The one point runback rule was instituted as a means of allowing the defense to return the ball. If, in turn the team that tries to return the ball and ends up in the end zone, then the kicking team should score as if it was a safety.
I will admit, however, that this is the first time I’ve seen a “single” or “rouge” in American football.
I was in the stands between a serious A&M fan (flew in from OK for the game only) and a UT alum/former sportswriter, and all of us were scratching our heads. Thanks for gathering up all the clarifying info on this one, Chuck.