NFL running into/roughing the punter

[mercellusb]

I was watching the NFL halftime highlights yesterday and noticed a couple of instances where, if it were a college game, there would have been penalties on punt attempts--one where the punter was obliterated on a block. WTF? Seems like a bad difference in rules, what with today’s more protective game.

[leonard hofstatder]

Post by mercellusb
I was watching the NFL halftime highlights yesterday and noticed a couple of instances where, if it were a college game, there would have been penalties on punt attempts--one where the punter was obliterated on a block. WTF? Seems like a bad difference in rules, what with today’s more protective game.

Was it Colts/Titans?
https://twitter.com/i/status/1731777834945741157


https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/roughing-or-running-into-the-kicker/

ROUGHING/RUNNING INTO THE KICKER

No defensive player may run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind
the line unless such contact:

1. is incidental to and occurs after the defender has touched the kick
in flight

[Con Reeder, unhyphenated American]

Post by leonard hofstatder

Post by mercellusb
I was watching the NFL halftime highlights yesterday and noticed a couple of instances where, if it were a college game, there would have been penalties on punt attempts--one where the punter was obliterated on a block. WTF? Seems like a bad difference in rules, what with today’s more protective game.

Was it Colts/Titans?
https://twitter.com/i/status/1731777834945741157
https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/roughing-or-running-into-the-kicker/
ROUGHING/RUNNING INTO THE KICKER
No defensive player may run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind
1. is incidental to and occurs after the defender has touched the kick
in flight

Or presumably if they are blocked into the kicker.

[The NOTBCS Guy]

But at the same time, NCAA football rule 9-1-16-a, which references roughing or running into the punter/placekicker, includes:
3. Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.
5. When a defensive player’s contact against the kicker or holder is caused by an opponent’s block (legal or illegal), there is no foul for running into or roughing.
6. A player who makes contact with the kicker or holder after touching the kick is not charged with running into or roughing the kicker.

[mercellusb]

Post by The NOTBCS Guy
3. Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.
5. When a defensive player’s contact against the kicker or holder is caused by an opponent’s block (legal or illegal), there is no foul for running into or roughing.
6. A player who makes contact with the kicker or holder after touching the kick is not charged with running into or roughing the kicker.

Thanks all. “After touching the kick…” had me confused.
Also rugby-style punters are open game.