In the case of a fumble, the ball is live and can be returned by the team that recovers the ball. In the case of a muffed punt, it is possible for the punting team to recover the ball and continue the drive, but at least in NCAA and NFL rules, they cannot advance the ball on that same play..
Thereof, why can't a muffed punt be advanced?
IMO a muffed punt has not yet established possession by the receiving team. Therefore, the kicking team can recover but can not advance. Since a muff is not yet possession the kicking team may not advance its own kick. Once possesion is established then the receiving team loses possesion then it is a fumble.
Beside above, why is it called a muffed punt? A muff is different than a fumble because a player must possess the ball in order to fumble it, one cannot fumble a loose ball, which is why it is referred to as a muff.
Also know, can a muffed punt be advanced in high school football?
A muffed punt can't be advanced. It makes no difference whether it's been grounded or muffed in flight. The only exception is if the ball was recovered behind the defensive LOS. Then, K could advance the ball.
Is a muffed punt a change of possession?
Punts are considered to be a change of possession (because they happen almost 100% completely on fourth down). So, only one team is allowed to touch the ball first. The rule still applies for kickoffs. You can't advance the ball if the other team didn't have possession.
Related Question Answers
Can you recover a punt?
Simply put, a punt is a scrimmage kick. Therefore, any member of the punt team is allowed to catch or recover a punt as long as it is behind the neutral zone, basically the line of scrimmage, and then advance that ball.What happens if you call a fair catch and drop it?
American football If the ball is caught, the ball is dead and, barring any penalties, the receiving team begins their drive from that spot, or they may attempt a fair catch kick from that spot. If the ball is not caught, then the fair catch is void and all other rules on kicked balls apply.Can you catch your own punt?
Punts are not free balls, once it's kicked possesion belongs to the receiving team. If the receiving team touches but doesn't control the ball (a "****") the kicking team can recover the ball, but not advance it. Kickoffs are different, the ball is "free" once it has gone 10 yards (this is why onside kicks work).Can a punt be intercepted?
Like the instance of a kickoff or punt fielded in an end zone, the intercepting player can attempt to advance the ball but it is still a touchback as long as the ball never completely crosses the goal line into the field of play before it is downed.Can an onside kick be advanced?
The kick must be a free kick (a kickoff, or free kick after a safety; in high school football, but not the NFL, the rare fair catch kick can also be recovered onside). The kicking team may only recover and retain possession of the kicked ball, but not advance it.Can you advance a fumbled fair catch?
If he muffs the ball, but catches it before it touches the ground, it is also a fair catch. If a player of the receiving team who has given a valid fair-catch signal catches the ball before it hits the ground and elects not to advance the ball, it is a fair catch.Can you punt on 3rd down?
Pooch punt Some pooch punts occur on third down and long situations in American football to fool the defense, which is typically not prepared to return a punt on third down.Does the receiving team have to touch the ball on an onside kick?
Rules of the Onside Kick Then, it must travel at least ten yards or be touched by the opposing team before the kicking team can recover it. If the ball is kicked out of play, the receiving team will gain possession at that spot.Can you return a fumble in college football?
A rule change approved by the NCAA Football Rules Committee and will allow defensive players to advance fumbles no matter where they recover the ball. The old rule allowed a defensive player to advance a fumble only if it occurred beyond the line of scrimmage.Is muffed punt a fumble?
In a muffed punt, the returning player is determined never to have possessed the ball. Also, unlike in the case of a fumble, a muffed punt cannot be advanced once it is recovered.When can a fumble not be advanced?
If any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in a half, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If recovered by any other offensive player, the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble unless it is recovered behind the spot of the fumble.Is a blocked punt a fumble?
Any ball blocked behind the line of scrimmage is treated as a fumble and can be recovered and advanced by either team. Once a punt crosses the line of scrimmage neither team has possession until the receiving team catches the ball or is called dead if it hits the ground.How do you get 2 points in NFL?
Two point conversion - 2 points Like with the extra point, the ball is placed on the 2 yard line (NFL) or 3 yard line (college). In this case the team tries to advance the ball across the goal line like with a touchdown. They get 1 attempt. If they can advance the football across the goal, they get 2 points. 
