Those Pesky Pylons - Navy Jobbed in Poinsettia

Perhaps officials in the Poinsettia Bowl between Utah and Navy, which Utah won, should read this blog more. An apology was issued to Navy according to ESPN:

On third and goal from the 4-yard line, Utah wide receiver Jereme Brooks caught a pass from Brian Johnson. As he extended the ball toward the goal line, he was hit by Navy cornerback Ketric Buffin. The ball fell forward and hit the pylon.

Initially, the referee ruled that the ball belonged to Utah at the 1-yard line. Navy called for a review, but the review official confirmed the call on the field.

After the game, the crew admitted it was the wrong call.

"The ball was fumbled forward and hit the pylon. The pylon is out of bounds and also in the end zone," read an official statement from the officiating crew, citing Rule 8, Section 6, Article 1, Item 1 in the NCAA college football rule book. "There was a mistake made. It should have been ruled a touchback and the ball should have been placed at the 20-yard line."

This really isn't a difficult concept to understand. The end zone is comprised of a 53 1/3 yard wide and 10 yard deep rectangle, PLUS THE FOUR PYLONS, which appear to sit just out of bounds but are also considered part of the end zone because their interior face lines up precisely with the end zone. This is true in every league from Pop Warner on up to the NFL. If there is football played in heaven, it's true there too. A fumble hitting the pylon is treated like any other ball hitting the pylon, it is dead in the end zone. Whether that's a touchback, touchdown or safety depends on circumstances.