[NittanyLion]

There is no way on the play in question where it could be suggested that any of the momentum of the ball could be thought to have come from an offensive player.

I don't understand why you're saying that. Can you explain further?

[ml/nj]

On a punt (logically and according to rule) the momentum of the ball comes from the foot of the kicker. The ball just bounces off the blocker. Here the ball was intentionally knocked out of the receiver's grasp toward the receiver's goal line by the defender. The receiver and the ball were barely moving at the time the ball was dislodged.

ML/NJ