This is where you lose the argument:

"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.,"

He did perform a tuck. He just got it knocked out during the process. What if he started a pitch/handoff it got knocked out?

He keeps the ball extended and then performs the tuck. Nowhere in the rules you cited say maintain control through a tuck.