They weren't tick-tack fouls, they were fouls. Broke the rules and got called for it.
If the gunner gets hit in the back it's an illegal block in the back, and actually it gets called a lot. Many long punt returns get called back do to that. Of course with their back to the o-line they won't see the play, and the ball carrier, since innately ball carriers aren't blocking, could hit them in the back on the way through the at will. If a defender does a spin move and is hit while his back is turned yes that's an illegal block in the back, of course you wait another half beat and hit him in the shoulder and every thing is fine.
a time when families gather together, don't talk, and watch football with an unbias eye... good times