Anyone See the "Fumble" at Stafford on Friday?

[WP02alum]

Referees called a fumble at the end of the first half when the North Stafford QB spiked the ball to kill the clock. It could not have been more run-of-the-mill. Clean snap & spike...no whistle...bunch of refs look around at each other...Head Ref gives the ball to the defense who grabbed the spiked ball.

I have just never seen something like that before in my life. Didn't seem to affect the game as NS ran over Stafford in the 2nd half. At the time, it definitely seemed like a huge referee gaffe.

 

[GilliamRatings]

I do know that Quarterbacks have to be careful when they spike the ball that they throw it forward. If they throw it straight down, it is indeed a backwards pass and a live ball. I even had a trick play put in for that once. Spike it, but intentionally throw it backwards. It was, however, illegal (luckily I never tried it), because you are not allowed to intentionally fumble (fumbleruski rule).

 

[WP02alum]

Yeah, this was not the only horrendously blown call this game. I haven't watched the film, but I feel pretty certain it was a good spike.

 

[m-squared]

Was the QB under center? At least in the NFL you cannot spike the ball to stop the clock from a shotgun- that would be a fumble I think. Have a good one!

 

[WP02alum]

Was the QB under center? At least in the NFL you cannot spike the ball to stop the clock from a shotgun- that would be a fumble I think. Have a good one!

Yup, tight under center.

 

[GilliamRatings]

In high school if you spike it from the shot gun it is not a fumble, but it's intentional grounding.