Alabama’s second touchdown of the day, a fumble recovered by wide receiver Henry Ruggs III for a touchdown, is officially credited as a passing touchdown for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a receiving touchdown for Ruggs.
On the play, Tagovailoa hit tight end Irv Smith Jr. up the middle. Smith fumbled at the 12 while trying to break a tackle. Ruggs recovered the fumble for a score and received credit for a touchdown reception despite not technically catching the ball on the play.
The NCAA football statistician’s manual explains it with an example in the following passage in Section 13, Article 2, A.R. 4 (on page 15):
“Team A’s ball on Team B’s 20. Adams completes a pass to Allen, who fumbles at the 10. The ball rolls into the end zone, where Adler recovers for a touchdown. Credit Adams with a pass attempt, a completion of 20 yards and a touchdown pass. Credit Allen with a reception of 20 yards. Credit Adler with no reception and zero yards, but with a touchdown by receiving. Credit Team A with a touchdown by passing and with a fumble not lost.”
Ruggs had one catch for 21 yards in the second quarter, his only grab of the day so far. Combined with the 12 yards and a touchdown on his recovery, that gave him one catch for 33 yards and a touchdown as his stat line in the first half.
