The entire rule as copied from the NCAA 2013/2014 rule book. At least the discussion has generally reverted back to the judgment call of did he have possession when he contacted the ground and not how many points of a persons body has to be on the ground before it's a completion.
As stated, if in the process of going to his knees the ball popped lose and fell to the ground, it's an incomplete pass (the ball was dislodged by the contact with the ground). Likewise, if in the process of going to and contacting the ground, the ball is stripped, it an interception (As the defensive guy received and maintained possession through the catch and the contact with the ground). But, if he catches the ball, goes to the ground and maintains possession after contacting the ground (maintaining possession is generally considered long enough to perform a football maneuver, such as running or handing off to another - he doesn't have to do a football maneuver, but it's that length of time) then it's a completed pass. If the ball is stripped after that time, then then the stripping of the ball was conducted after the player was down and it was a completed pass and offense retains possession of the ball. The only question here is really, did Jarvis have possession after he contacted the ground long enough for it to be considered a completed pass. The officials said no and the replay officials said they did not have enough evidence to overturn the call, but you make your own decision.
Catch, Interception, Recovery
ARTICLE 3. a. To catch a ball means that a player:
1. Secures control of a live ball in flight with his hands or arms before
the ball touches the ground, and
2. Touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and then
3. Maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform
an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball,
advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc., and
4. Satisfies paragraphs b, c, and d below.
b. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without
contact by an opponent) he must maintain complete and continuous control
of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the
field of play or in the end zone. This is also required for a player attempting
to make a catch at the sideline and going to the ground out of bounds. If
he loses control of the ball which then touches the ground before he regains
control, it is not a catch. If he regains control inbounds prior to the ball
touching the ground it is a catch.
c. If the player loses control of the ball while simultaneously touching the
ground with any part of his body, or if there is doubt that the acts were
simultaneous, it is not a catch. If a player has control of the ball, a slight
movement of the ball, even if it touches the ground, will not be considered
loss of possession; he must lose control of the ball in order for there to be
a loss of possession.
d. If the ball touches the ground after the player secures control and continues
to maintain control, and the elements above are satisfied, it is a catch.
e. An interception is a catch of an opponent’s pass or fumble.
f. A catch by any kneeling or prone inbounds player is a completion or
interception (Rules 7-3-6 and 7).
g. A player recovers a ball if he fulfills the criteria in paragraphs a, b, c, and d
for catching a ball that is still alive after hitting the ground.
h. When in question, the catch, recovery or interception is not completed.
Simultaneous Catch or Recovery
ARTICLE 4. A simultaneous catch or recovery is a catch or recovery in which
there is joint possession of a live ball by opposing players inbounds (A.R. 7-3-
6-I-II).
