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| Friday, September 29 Illinois coach calls for instant replay Associated Press | |||
| CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Big Ten said Monday that two
game-turning fumble calls late in Michigan's 35-31 victory over
Illinois were mistakes, and Illini coach Ron Turner called on the
NCAA to use instant replay to review such plays.
Big Ten officiating coordinator David Parry said both disputed
fumble rulings would have gone Illinois' way instead of Michigan's
if an NFL-style instant replay system was in use Saturday.
Turner, a former assistant with the Chicago Bears, said colleges
could copy the system used by the NFL in which coaches can request
a replay but lose a timeout if the ruling stands.
Parry, also the national coordinator of officiating for the
NCAA, called instant replay "highly, highly unlikely" because of
the cost and logistics involved in equipping every stadium. Parry
acknowledged the two fumbles in question from Saturday's game would
have been overturned after a review of tape.
With Illinois up 31-28, officials ruled halfback Rocky Harvey
fumbled when it appeared the ground jarred the ball loose. Harvey
recovered, but it was taken from him in the pileup.
On the ensuing Michigan drive, tailback Anthony Thomas dropped
the ball near the goal line but officials ruled him down. The
replay showed otherwise, but the Wolverines kept the ball. Thomas
scored on a 3-yard run on the next play, putting Illinois down four
points with just 2:30 left.
"There's no question in this case that technology shows that
we've had a couple fumbles that could have been officiated
better," Parry said. "At normal speed, they were probably
inconclusive. But when you use the technology, it does not defend
the judgment of the officials."
Turner will not blame the calls for Illinois' loss, saying
Michigan played well enough to win and there were many other
factors in the Wolverines' rallying from a 21-7 deficit.
"You would at least like to get it right and let the players
decide it," Turner said. "I'm not saying that didn't happen in
our last game." | ALSO SEE
Michigan's Carr miffed by Big Ten's apology to IllinoisWolverines survive as Illini fumble chances | ||
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Here's something the refs didn't have: replays.