ACC to try instant replay for 2005 football season

[DJRamFan]

Feb. 15, 2005
SportsLine.com wire reports

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Atlantic Coast Conference will use instant replay in the 2005 football season, experimenting with a system based on the one the Big Ten debuted last season.

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The league announced the move Tuesday after a proposal by the league's athletic directors was approved unanimously at the conference's winter meetings. The NCAA Football Rules Committee voted last week to allow conferences to use instant reply on an experimental basis for the 2005 season.

Under the Big Ten's system, a technical adviser watched the game from the press box and notified officials on the field via pager if he saw something questionable. Play was halted while the adviser reviewed the call using video from the television feed.

Calls could be overturned only if there was "indisputable video evidence," and only calls like scoring plays, pass plays and number of players on the field could be reviewed. Hard fouls such as blocks in the back and facemasks, and some other judgment calls like false starts were not eligible for review.

ACC officials will consider any possible variances allowed within NCAA guidelines.

"The system that was used by the Big Ten this past season received very positive reviews and had minimal impact on the flow and length of the games," ACC commissioner John Swofford said in a statement.

"Everyone connected with college football, whether you are a fan, coach, player or official, wants a correct ruling on the field and we believe that this is another step in the right direction of enhancing the quality of officiating and fair play."

North Carolina coach John Bunting said he supported the decision.

"I want to make sure the right call is made," Bunting said.

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