In the first week of the 2009 regular season, the rule adopted in response to the most controversial call from the 2008 season already has come into play.
Late in the first half of the 49ers-Cardinals game, San Fran quarterback Shaun Hill lost the ball. The Cardinals recovered at the 49ers’ 40, and took the ball into the end zone.
But the ruling on the field was that Hill lost the ball while his arm was moving forward.
Enter the Hochuli Rule.
Before 2008, the reversal would have resulted in the ball being given to the 49ers at the point where it hit the ground. Because of the Hochuli Rule, it’s no longer a dead ball at that point.
So the Cardinals, who recovered what was determined to be a fumble, was awarded possession.
That said, the points were never put on the board, because under the Hochuli Rule the ball cannot be advanced.
The Cardinals thereafter converted the turnover into a field goal, which cut the unlikely San Fran lead to 13-6 at intermission.
Meanwhile, Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner has completed more passes to the 49ers (two) than to Larry Fitzgerald, who has one catch for ten yards.
You can follow the action right here, at NBCSports.com.
ARZ will show that the rule of the loser of the SB will finish under .500 and not make the play-offs is alive and well!