late hit out of bounds on 4th down

[Coach Murray]

Our punter ran with the ball and was hit late out of bounds.  Did not make the line of gain to get 1st down.  We were told that since it was a deadball foul, the return team got the ball.  The 15 yards was then enforced from the spot of foul.  Is this correct enforcement?

[Bobref]

29 minutes ago, Coach Murray said:

Our punter ran with the ball and was hit late out of bounds.  Did not make the line of gain to get 1st down.  We were told that since it was a deadball foul, the return team got the ball.  The 15 yards was then enforced from the spot of foul.  Is this correct enforcement?

This precise play happened in a tournament game several years ago. The enforcement was correct. Whether the line to gain is made is determined by the action that occurs prior to the ball becoming dead on 4th down. Since the line to gain was not made at the conclusion of 4th down, the ball goes over. The penalty is enforced, the chains are set, and it’s 1st down. One technical note: the penalty is actually enforced from the succeeding spot, i.e., where the ball became dead following 4th down.

[JustRules]

NCAA enforcement would be the same, but I believe NFL is different. I believe a dead ball personal foul on 4th down still extends that drive with a first down.

[Titan76]

On 9/16/2019 at 7:11 AM, Bobref said:

This precise play happened in a tournament game several years ago. The enforcement was correct. Whether the line to gain is made is determined by the action that occurs prior to the ball becoming dead on 4th down. Since the line to gain was not made at the conclusion of 4th down, the ball goes over. The penalty is enforced, the chains are set, and it’s 1st down. One technical note: the penalty is actually enforced from the succeeding spot, i.e., where the ball became dead following 4th down.

Have had similar happen and both enforced differently.  Which is correct? Does it become 1st and 10 or 1st and 25

[Bobref]

31 minutes ago, Titan76 said:

Have had similar happen and both enforced differently.  Which is correct? Does it become 1st and 10 or 1st and 25

If the dead ball foul occurs before the ball is ready for play on the next down, it’s always 1st & 10.