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: I was watching the Detroit Lions play the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving. The Vikings scored and went to kick the extra point but it was blocked. All the players just stood around the ball as it was rolling around the 5-yard line. I was wondering if an offensive player could pick the ball up and run it in for two points, or is that just on defense?

A: Once a kicked ball crosses the line of scrimmage, the offense cannot pick it up and advance it. It’s a dead ball at that point. The defense, however, can pick it up and advance it but risks fumbling the ball and allowing the offense possession and the chance to run it in.

Same on punts. If the ball remains behind the line of scrimmage, either side can pick it up and advance it on the college and NFL levels. Once a kicked try leaves the kicker’s foot on the high school level, it’s either good or no good. The ball is dead if blocked/partially blocked.

USA Football Rules Editor Bill LeMonnier is a former college football 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.