Welcome to Ask the Official, a weekly blog series from USA Football. We’ve teamed up with Bill LeMonnier, USA Football rules editor, who’s served as a college football referee and also works with ESPN as a rules analyst. Look for LeMonnier’s blog every week during football season, as we take reader-submitted questions or revisit a controversial play that took place the previous weekend. See below for information on how to submit your questions. Here’s today’s topic:

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Q: The offense completes a pass and takes ball to the 9-yard-line as time expires in the first half.  The defense is called for an illegal block at the 40-yard line, behind the completion and on a different receiver.  What happens if the offense accepts the penalty, and what happens if they decline it?

A: "By National Federation of State High School Associations rules, this foul occurred during a loose-ball play, so the penalty is enforced from the previous spot. The offense can accept the penalty from the previous spot with an untimed down, or decline the penalty, which would end the half. 

"The only way to extend the period with an untimed down is to accept the penalty.

"Had the penalty occurred after the pass was complete, you now have a running play and the enforcement of the foul would be half the distance to the goal with an untimed down.

"The enforcement is the same for NCAA."

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USA Football Rules Editor Bill LeMonnier is a former college referee who currently serves as an ESPN NCAA rules analyst. Click here to ask Bill a question. Make sure to put “Ask the Official” in the subject line.