With 2:44 left in the 3rd Quarter and down 14-7, the Titans attempt to start their drive from the 9 yard line. They hope to drive 91 yards and tie up the game. On the first play of the drive, the QB, Mettenberger is sacked by Suggs in what appears to be a Safety. However, the officials did not signal Safety and placed the ball on the half yard line.

Safety

The important factor in a safety is impetus. Two points are scored for the opposing team when the ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal line if the impetus came from a player on that team.





Example of a Safety

(a) Blocked punt goes out of kicking team’s end zone. Impetus was provided by punting team. The block only changes direction of ball, not impetus.

(b) Ball carrier retreats from field of play into his own end zone and is downed. Ball carrier provides impetus.

(c) Offensive team commits a foul and spot of enforcement is behind its own goal line.