Touchdown, Point After

Question
Hi Victor,

My husband and I were talking about this after Thursday night's game and it came into play during the Pittsburgh/San Diego game today.

When a team gets a touchdown, with no time on the clock does the team get the chance for the point after all times? Let's say there was7 seconds on the clock. The play ran the clock down to zero and a touchdown was made. Point after still valid?

And on the same note, today a player recovered a fumble, ran it in for the touchdown, ref watched instant replay, touchdown stood. Point after was not kicked and the final score did not show the last touchdown. Would the team have declined the extra point kick so there was no chance for it to be blocked and ran back? If that would happen does it negate the TD?

Thanks,

Angie

Answer
Angie,
Thanks for your question.  Please know I only answer NCAA rules questions not NFL.  So in response to your question from the college rule perspective:  Per NCAA Rule 8-3-2-a "The ball shall be put in play by the team that scored a six-point touchdown. If a touchdown is scored during a down in which time in the fourth period expires, the try shall not be attempted unless the point(s) would affect the outcome of the game."

If time has expired on a scoring play (TD) and the PAT is not required to determine the winner, then no PAT/Try is permitted.  However, if the PAT/Try could determine the winner then it must be permitted.

The down is not over until the ball is declared dead despite the clock running down to zero time remaining during the live ball.  Therefore if a touchdown is scored during a down in which time in the fourth period expires the scoring team gets 6 points.

Under your example: touchdown tied the score or made it a one point deficit for the scoring team but as the ball was in flight time expired.  Under both situations the PAT/Try would be allowed as it is necessary to determine a winning team.  If on the last play the scoring team goes up by 1 point there would be no need to have a PAT/Try since the winner was determined on the scoring play when time expired.

I hope this answers you question.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official