MWC football to get instant replay

PROVO — Instant replay is coming to Mountain West Conference football.

The league announced Wednesday that starting next season it will utilize an instant replay system, though it is subject to formal approval by the NCAA later this month.

Last year, the Big Ten became the first NCAA conference to use instant replay, and on Tuesday, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced it will also institute a replay system based on the Big Ten's model.

Not wanting to be left behind, the MWC has been proactive about instant replay.

"The Mountain West Conference has proven it competes at the highest level of Division I-A football," said Commissioner Craig Thompson. "This initiative, which we see as an opportunity to enhance our football operation, is another example of our commitment and something we have aggressively pursued."

While the NCAA establishes the list of reviewable plays, a host of other issues are left to the discretion of each conference. Among those include whether the replay official will work from the field or in the press box; whether or not coaches challenges will be permitted; use of television and/or in-stadium video, number of personnel and technical equipment.

In addition to soliciting input from the league's athletic directors and coaches, the MWC has established a subcommittee to explore logistical issues, as well as project the budget for the implementation of instant replay. One of the members of that subcommittee is BYU associate athletic director Tom Holmoe.

"It wouldn't be wise for us to do exactly what the Big Ten did. What worked for them might not necessarily work for us," said Holmoe, the former head coach at California. "We will be proactive and see what's best for our conference. This is new turf for the Mountain West and, really, the NCAA, too. There's so much to research."

Other members of the MWC instant replay subcommittee include San Diego State coach Tom Craft; Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry; Texas Christian athletic director Eric Hyman; and MWC coordinator of football officials Ken Rivera.

According to conference officials, there will be enough video footage available to feed the instant replay system. In 2004, 89 percent of MWC games were televised — only seven were not. Under the new College Sports Television deal, which takes effect in 2006, almost every game will be seen on TV.