ACC to use instant replay in 2005 (experimentally)

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that it will implement the use of instant reply on an experimental basis beginning with the 2005 football season.

The proposal, by the league's Athletics Directors, was approved unanimously by the Faculty Representatives at the Conference's Winter Meetings. Following these discussions, as a well as a presentation by David Parry, National Coordinator of College Football Officials and Coordinator of Big Ten Football Officials, and Tommy Hunt, the Coordinator of ACC Football Officials, the league voted to base its system on the Big Ten's model and to look at any possible variances allowed within NCAA guidelines. The NCAA Football Rules Committee voted last week to give conferences the opportunity to use instant reply on an experimental basis for the 2005 season.

"After a full review of the instant replay model used by the Big Ten this past season and discussions by our Athletics Directors and Faculty Representatives, we will move forward with the implementation of instant replay within the guidelines set by the NCAA for the 2005 season," stated ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "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. 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."

 

State still would have lost

 

ACC to add replay for the 2005 season
Football will follow format used by Big Ten
KEN TYSIAC
Raleigh Bureau


ACC football officiating crews will work with the aid of instant replay in 2005 on an experimental basis, conference officials announced Tuesday.

The system used by the Big Ten last season will serve as the ACC's model. The Big Ten gave a technical adviser in a replay booth sole authority to stop play for review and to overturn a call.

Big Ten coaches and administrators gave positive reviews to the system. ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a statement that replay in the Big Ten had minimal impact on the flow and length of games.

"We believe that this is another step in the right direction of enhancing the quality of officiating and fair play," Swofford said.

In the Big Ten, replay could overturn plays governed by the sideline, goal line, end zone and end line; passes (complete, incomplete, etc.), and elements such as forward progress with regard to a first down and the number of players on the field.

Play was stopped 44 times for review, with 21 calls overturned in 57 replay games. The average length of a replay game (3 hours, 16 minutes) was four minutes longer than the non-replay games in 2003.

"I'm in favor of using instant replay," said North Carolina coach John Bunting, who experienced replay in the USFL and NFL. "... I want to make sure the right call is made."

Virginia's Al Groh, the former New York Jets coach, also has spoken out in favor of replay. ACC officiating coordinator Tommy Hunt said last fall he favors replay because it will aid his officials as they attempt to make proper calls.

 

Same as the Big Ten, I just hope they manage to get someone so old that he can't see his own elbow to man the booth. It's still not perfect, but I suppose it's a step in the right direction.

 

I wouldn't be proud of almost getting beat by poor, lowly, sucky State last season.

 

Like watching Dook play football wasn't bad enough already...

 

i hate replay