# Football Q: Most yards to go for a first down? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850 "2003-11-23T16:36:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/1 "2003-11-23T16:36:54Z")
File this one under “esoteric shit **vibrotronica** became curious about while watching the LSU / Ole Miss game.” The file is surprisingly large, but this is the only question I deemed SDMB worthy. What is the record for the most yards required for a first down? I’ve seen 1st and 20 as the result of a penalty, and I think I remember a sack resulting in a 2nd and 35 once, but what’s the record, both for college and professional football? And did the team in question pick up the first down? Idle minds demand to know! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/2 "2003-11-23T19:07:05Z")
You know, not every conceivable statistic is actually tabulated and I would be rather surprised if this one were. I could easily imagine first and 40 (a 15 yard penalty on the first first and another one on the second), but then there might be a sack on the the third so you are maybe 2nd and 50. Who knows? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/3 "2003-11-23T19:41:42Z")
The limit case is 1st and 100 (99.999… actually). ---
**Author:** ![aahala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@aahala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aahala)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/4 "2003-11-23T20:24:25Z")
What I think you need to look for, for the absolute record, is the rare case where an offensive player gets confused, starts running in the opposite direction but gets tackled just short of scoring a safety. In the 60’s Jim Marshall as a defensive player wasn’t stopped in a Vikings-49ers game and ran one back for 60 yards, giving San Francisco 2 points.😃 ---
**Author:** ![asomihite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@asomihite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asomihite)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/5 "2003-11-23T20:42:04Z")
I just did a search for this, but to no avail. I think the most yards needed for a first down in the NFL might have been the result of a game in which Bob Griese (while trying to elude a pass rush) scrambled and kept running back in what ended up being the all-time greatest loss of yards in a single play. Of course I unfortunately can’t remember how many yards this was. There’s a local channel here that sometimes shows high school football games and while channel surfing the other day, I saw that one of the teams was at 3rd and 49. I have no idea how they ended up in that bad of a spot, but needless to say, they didn’t convert. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/6 "2003-11-23T22:19:27Z")
The worst case scenario would be 99 and 2/3rds (plus) yards to go. But… In order to get that on _first_ would require such a complex set of penalties as to make it virtually improbable. Remember that once you get to a certain point, penalties are marked off half the distance to the goal line. That ups the ante a bit, I would think. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/7 "2003-11-23T22:23:45Z")
Of course, on any other down besides first, a very blown play could get this bad in an instant. I searched, but I’m finding no records of keeping this kind of statistic. But, it’s gotta be out there somewhere. Ever notice how MNF always seems to have a bunch of inconsequential statistics at their fingertips? ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/8 "2003-11-23T22:31:30Z")
That’s what I’m thinking, too. **NoClue**. Somebody somewhere’s got to have that stat, although my searches have come up dry, too. And also, to clear up any confusion, I’m not necessarily asking about the greatest number of yards to go on 1st down, but the greatest number of yards to go on any down. Although the greatest number of yards on 1st down would be gravy. ---
**Author:** ![doctordoowop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@doctordoowop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctordoowop)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/9 "2003-11-23T22:32:24Z")
No-the limit is 1st & 99. Can’t be penalized farther back than the one ,as I recall. That may be pro & not college. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/10 "2003-11-23T22:38:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*originally posted by \ ***LSLGuy** > > The limit case is 1st and 100 (99.999… actually). [Same thing.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200497) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/11 "2003-11-23T22:46:18Z")
ok, my lack of football knowledge will show but consider the following situation: Team A is first(or any other down) and goal at the 1 yard line. The quarterback for team A takes the hike then fumbles, which is picked up by a team B player. Team B player runs 98 yards toward the other end of the field but at the last second gets smashed and drops the ball which is picked up by a team A player who falls down at the one yard line. Question, is it now 99 yards to goal? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/12 "2003-11-23T22:50:15Z")
No Change of possesion occured. First and ten on the one. Need to go to eleven yard line. It would have to remain in the offence’s possesion and just be really badly played. Couldn’t even have the ball carrier be picked up and carried (next question, right?) because the rule would be where the forward progress stopped. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/13 "2003-11-23T22:56:03Z")
Some Football Rules: [High School](http://www.nfhs.org/rules-football.htm) [NCAA](http://www.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/intro/) [NFL](http://www.nflrulebook.com/) (gotta pay) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/14 "2003-11-23T22:59:20Z")
No, next question was going to be, “has possession actually changed during the play” since during active play, both at the start of the down and end, Team A had possession of the ball. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/15 "2003-11-23T23:09:50Z")
I can’t find the specific rule online, but a play like that happened today. Houston intercepted and then fumbled. The statistics showed an INT (+Hou, - NE) and a FUM (-Hou, +NE). I’m pretty sure New England was given possesion with a first down, indicating a complete change of possesion bith ways. But, I didn’t record it and we can’t trust out memories… ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/16 "2003-11-23T23:20:47Z")
ftr, it wasn’t the first down (or lack of one) that indicated change of possesion. It was the ± INT and FUM which shows a complete change of possesion. The team possessing the ball is the only one that can lose a fumble. So, showing thet Houston fumbled and lost it on that play indicates that they had possession during the play, regardless of the eventual outcome. Hope that clears it up. 🙂 It can get real complicated at times… ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/17 "2003-11-23T23:36:00Z")
I was unable to confirm it after an internet search, but I recall the Washington Redskins in a 1985(?–that’s what I couldn’t confirm) preseason game against the then-L.A. Raiders facing a 3rd-and-51. I remember it so well because I remember my uncle, a diehard Redskins fan, groaning, “How the hell did we end up with a 3rd-and-51?” ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/18 "2003-11-23T23:55:37Z")
Personally, I have seen whatever and forty, and even fifty a few times. Sack, penalty, sack, penalty, whatever. The most likely way for a team to get into a – very – long yardage situation is a bad snap. One over the quarterback’s head in the shotgun is one of the best for really big losses. Backwards fumbling out of the option, or the quarterback scrambling back too much and not getting rid of the ball are good for losses also. Beyond that, first and _sixty_ something – I don’t remember seeing except once when I went to a HS game. Quarterback runs backwards, fumble, scramble for ball\* that moves the ball backwards quite a distance almost to the goal line. Next down: 3 and, I think, 65. To the grindstone, just for you. I hate football. 😉 “longest yardage situation football” [First listing. There might be more, but I can’t find it.](http://www.fayettevillenc.com/sports/answerman/) Maybe searching “bad snap,” “snap sailed high,” or “quarterback fumble” might turn up some results. I tried every combination of yardage requests and stuff I could think of. \*Benny Hill music would have been appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/19 "2003-11-24T00:01:12Z")
I saw a 2nd and 35 in the Dallas game today, if I recall right. ---
**Author:** ![Holden\_West](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@Holden\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Holden_West)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850/20 "2003-11-24T02:02:29Z")
A Canadian Football League field is 110 yards long–couldn’t a team be third and 109 as unlikely as it seems? Can’t find anything on the [CFL site](http://www.cfl.ca/CFLHistory/records.html) although Montreal’s 109 yard rushing ruturn by George Dixon in Ottawa, September 2, 1963 is notable in an off-topic sort of way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-q-most-yards-to-go-for-a-first-down/214850.md?page=2)