The way it was explained to me, they couldnβt. They could have used it to stop the clock at 11 seconds, but the run off was part of the penalty; itβs automatic inside two minutes. They chose to run a play instead, with the clock starting to run as soon as the ref blew his whistle/windmilled his arm.
I think that's incorrect.Β The Saints could have chosen to use a timeout instead of the runoff.Β The ref started the clock when the ball was set because that's what you do after a runoff.Β
From "Rule 4Β Game Timing":
------------------
Section 7 Actions to Conserve Time
ILLEGAL ACTS
Article 1A team is not permitted to conserve time inside of one minute of either half by committing any of the
following acts:
(a) a foul by either team that prevents the snap (i.e., false start, encroachment, etc.)
(b) intentional grounding;
(c) an illegal forward pass thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage;
(d) throwing a backward pass out of bounds;
(e) spiking or throwing the ball in the field of play after a down has ended, except after a touchdown; or
(f) any other intentional foul that causes the clock to stop.
Penalty: For Illegally Conserving Time: Loss of five yards unless a larger distance penalty is
applicable.
When actions referred to above are committed by the offensive team while time is in, officials will run
10 seconds off the game clock before permitting the ball to be put in play on the ready-for-play
signal. The game clock will start on the ready-for-play signal. If the offensive team has timeouts
remaining, it will have the option of using a timeout in lieu of a 10-second runoff, in which case
the game clock will start on the snap after the timeout. The defense always has the option to
decline the 10-second runoff and have the yardage penalty enforced, but if the yardage penalty
is declined, the 10-second runoff is also declined.
