What is the rules??

[Techfan02]

Watching the OSU game they just called defensive holding which I thought was automatic 1st down, but they just said 2nd down?? Someone care to explain??

 

[GoGATech]

Watching the OSU game they just called defensive holding which I thought was automatic 1st down, but they just said 2nd down?? Someone care to explain??

If it's on a pass play it's automatic 1st down. If it's a run play it's not. It's a 10 yard penalty each, so if the offense is behind the sticks already, the yardage won't give them a first down. For instance say 2nd and 12, run play and the defense get's called for holding, it would be 2nd and 2. I assume this occurred on a run play for PSU, if not the refs got it wrong.