"Could he turn around and make a 'football play?'"
Did he have control of the ball when the ground caused a fumble?
If you like these changes to possession on the catch, you' re a moron. That is all.
The college rule is absolutely stupid. I think you have to leave the stadium after the game still holding the ball for it to be a catch. Besides what the hell is "...a football play.?" Way to subjective.