To settle this, it doesn't matter that the player re-established himself. By the letter of the rule, he cannot be the first person to touch the ball. You're arguing a moot point because you don't know the rule. Now, whether he was pushed out by the defense is another argument, and is a judgment call, not a mistaken application of the rule.
If the ref had said he was pushed out, then I would accept that. The tape shows he was not, but I can swallow that.
I'm also concerned about some of the other lapses by this officiating crew. The extra point video is d*mning not because I think it was a missed PAT (I don't). Moreso concerned that the ref barely looked up on a fairly close kick. Also was annoyed when they didn't throw a flag on the illegal touching, but just conferenced instead. And finally, the refs didn't indicate PFN had scored a TD in overtime until well after they had placed the ball for the PAT. The ref then raised his arms before shrugging and making a WTF gesture to the box. Meanwhile all the fans had no idea if the RB had actually scored a TD because no one ever signaled. It may have been obvious from that side of the field, but from the stands and to the press box, it wasn't at all clear with the with sideline being close and the number of bodies.
The point isn't that I disagree with the calls I just listed. They were all most likely the correct judgment calls. But they didn't follow proper procedure, and that's just additional evidence that they didn't know the letter of the rules and they should treat the job with a higher level of respect. I'm sure they're very nice people who think they are dedicated to the game, but their actions are in direct conflict with their intent.
And before anyone bloviates at me about becoming a ref, I've been a player and I've been a coach. Will be looking to get back into coaching when my boys get a little older because that's how I choose to keep involved in the game. My eyesight is not the greatest, so I don't think I would be doing a service. And before anyone calls me out on that being an excuse, I'm not criticizing the refs for their judgment calls. I'm criticizing them for their lack of knowledge about the game.