Kentucky punter draws controversial roughing penalty in bizarre special teams play

Colin Goodfellow drew the play of the game for Kentucky, as the punter somehow recovered an errant snap that went over his head. He gathered the ball, and somehow kicked it away as a Missouri defender tackled him.

The play unfolded with 2:25 remaining with the Wildcats up 21-17, and Mizzou nearly getting the ball inside the 5-yard line. The Tigers’ Will Norris closed in, and was flagged for roughing the punter. Goodfellow was taken off the field on a cart, as he needed help getting to the cart. The penalty came with an automatic first down.

Kentucky’s backup punter came in 4 plays later to punt the ball from near midfield.

It was explained on the SEC Network broadcast that because Goodfellow stayed inside the tackle box, he was still considered a punter and therefore the rule applied.

Here’s a sample of the reaction:

Unreal. Snap over the #Kentucky punter’s head, Goodfellow picks it up and punts it and draws a “roughing the punter” call from his own goal line with a 4-point lead. Awful break for #Mizzou. UK can probably just run out the clock from here. #SEC #CFB pic.twitter.com/7vZYH2qyQc

— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) November 5, 2022

Oh my goodness. Missouri just got flagged for roughing the Kentucky punter after the snap went 30 yards over his head.

— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) November 5, 2022

Just when it looked like Missouri was going to have a shot to win or tie with 2:25 left, they rough the punter and Kentucky gets the ball back. LOL.

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) November 5, 2022

What’s the rule on the play that just happened in Kentucky-Mizzou. After the snap goes over the punter’s head can you rough him?

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 5, 2022

Kentucky’s punter just had the greatest play that I’ve ever seen by a punter.

Snap went 20 yards over his head. He sprinted back to get it. He managed to punt the ball and drew a Roughing the Punter penalty.

That’s one of the smartest plays that I’ve ever seen.

— Scott Reichel (@ReichelRadio) November 5, 2022

They’re going to call roughing the punter and Kentucky is going to keep the football. Incredible sport.

— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) November 5, 2022

Omg. In the Kentucky Mizzou game. 21-17 Kentucky. 2:30 left. Kentucky snaps the ball 30 yards over the punter’s head. Oh get gets them ball off. Mizzou roughs the punter. Drinkwitz melts down. ??‍???

— scottwildcat??? (@scottwildcat) November 5, 2022

That said, I’d have a lot more respect for Drinkwitz if he gets himself fined after this game.. because Mizzou got screwed thrice.

— Todd Engle (@tengle68) November 5, 2022

Can’t believe Drinkwitz didn’t get tossed. Didn’t know he’d have to scheme against the refs today, too.

— John Miller (@John_TheVoice) November 5, 2022

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.