# Football (American) rules question **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 15, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-american-rules-question/625207 "2012-06-15T06:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-american-rules-question/625207/1 "2012-06-15T06:29:18Z")
Say its 3rd down and the quarterback of Team A throws an interception. The Team B player runs the ball back a few yards and fumbles while being tackled and Team A recovers the fumble. Does it go to 4th down for Team A or is it considered a new possesion and 1st down? ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-american-rules-question/625207/2 "2012-06-15T07:43:48Z")
First and ten for team A at the spot of the fumble recovery. The downs are reset upon the change of possession (the interception), regardless of whatever else happens afterward. Take [this play](http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d813527b1/Bly-interception-and-fumble) for example. The Falcons have it 2nd and 9 on the 49’ers 13. It’s intercepted, but fumbled on the 45 or so. First and 10 for the Falcons, but the ball is back on the 45. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-american-rules-question/625207/3 "2012-06-15T11:20:21Z")
MOved from General Questions to the Game Room. **samclem** , Moderator