The kicking team can not hit a receiving team player who is in position, or who is getting into position to catch the ball, unless, the ball has hit the ground, or the ball has already been touched by or touched a player on the receiving
team. See below:
"SECTION 4. Opportunity To Catch a Kick Interference With Opportunity
ARTICLE 1. A player of the receiving team within the boundary lines attempting to catch a kick, and so located that he could have caught a free kick or a scrimmage kick that is beyond the neutral zone, must be given an unimpeded opportunity to
catch the kick (A.R. 6-3-1-III, A.R. 6-4-1-V and A.R. 6-4-1-X).
a. This protection terminates when the kick touches the ground, when any player of Team B muffs a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone, or when any player of Team B muffs a free kick in the field of play or in the end zone (Rule 6-5-1-a) (A.R. 6-4-1-IV)."
The penalty is 15 yards from the spot of the foul, and a first down for the receiving team.
The PU kick in Saturday's game was a bloop kick that never hit the ground. Two UM players who were in position to catch the ball were blocked out of the play by PU players, allowing another PU player to run under the ball and catch it before it touched the ground. This was kick interference.
The officials didn't throw a flag. The announcers didn't comment on the play. And, I didn't see any UM coaches protesting. It appears that everyone in the stadium was confused. How come there have been no questions about this non-call?
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