In Reply to: OT: watching the FCS NC game and have a rules question posted by barrya on January 05, 2026 at 20:36:31
NCAA College Football Rule 7-2-2a states that a backward pass or fumble caught or recovered by any inbounds player continues in play, allowing advancement.
Rule 7-2-2a, Exception 2 specifies that if Team A fumbles on fourth down before a change of possession, and a Team A player other than the fumbler recovers the ball, the play is dead. If the recovery is beyond the fumble spot, the ball returns to the fumble spot. If the recovery is behind the fumble spot, the ball remains at the recovery spot. This rule applies specifically on fourth down.