OT: Question on kickoffs

[1960Pats]

I've noticed that on many kickoffs that go all the way into the end zone that the refs are blowing the ball dead as soon as it lands behind the returner. I always thought that the ball is alive until it either goes through the end zone or is caught and downed by the returner. Is this just an example of the ref blowing the whistle too soon or am I mistaken about the rules?

 

[Sciz]

That’s a new change this year. The ball hitting the ground in the end zone is a touchback regardless of where it goes off the bounce.

The kickoff had even more radical changes in college this year, where a fair catch inside the 25 is now a touchback.