Rulebook Inquiry: Penalties and Ten Second Run-offs under a minute left

[brdmaverick]

It was my understanding that on any infraction before or upon the snap of the ball (illegal formation, false start, etc.) by the offense would result in a ten second run-off (unless said team chooses to use a time out).

With 31 seconds left in the game, the Cowboys had one time out and incurred a false start penalty. They were penalized five yards, got to keep their time out, and were not penalized the five second run off? Why is this?

the following is a copy and paste from the play by play of the game

1-10-NYG 22 31) (Shotgun) PENALTY on DAL-75-M.Colombo, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at NYG 22 - No Play.
1-15-NYG 27 31) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 82-J.Witten to NYG 23 for 4 yards (28-G.Wilson).
Timeout #3 by DAL at 00:26.

 

[sarge]

I think you only get the ten second runoff if the clock is running when the penalty occured.

Basically to prevent a team from committing a false start in order to stop the clock and preserve the down.

The clock was already stopped when the penalty occurred. SO there is no bennefit to the offending team by committing a penalty if the clock is already stopped

I remembered thinking the same thing you did, but when I realized the clock was stopped, I figured that was the reason.

I don't know for sure, I am just rationalizing.

But it makes sense

 

[pheenix11]

I was wondering the same thing, that seems like a logical explanation.

 

[Trot]

I think you only get the ten second runoff if the clock is running when the penalty occured.

Basically to prevent a team from committing a false start in order to stop the clock and preserve the down.

The clock was already stopped when the penalty occurred. SO there is no bennefit to the offending team by committing a penalty if the clock is already stopped

I remembered thinking the same thing you did, but when I realized the clock was stopped, I figured that was the reason.

I don't know for sure, I am just rationalizing.

But it makes sense

Yup. The ten second run-off or TO rule is only applicable if the clock is running. IIRC, there had just been a timeout, so the clock had stopped.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Also, for what it's worth, only certain penalties trigger the run off.

It used to be that you only had a run off if you were tied or behind, but that's not the case any more. Now, a "fourth time out" with the clock running is a 10 second run off even if committed by the team that's ahead, although the losing team can decline it.

The rules use the term "fourth time out," because there are other things that can cause a 10 second run off, like an injured player when the clock is running.

That would be a tough one to lose on, but I guess the rules need to guard against injury faking to stop the clock.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Ever wonder why a team with no timeouts doesn't throw across the middle and have the receiver chuck the ball laterally out of bounds to stop the clock (would be like a fumble OOB)? Intentional fumbles OOB to stop the clock will get a 10 second runoff.

Regards,
Chris