BIG EAST Instant Replay Policy

For the 2005 football season, the BIG EAST, along with most other Division I-A conferences, will use an in-stadium instant replay system to help assist the on-field officials with close calls. The following is a brief synopsis of the system that will be in use at Rentschler Field this fall and also in all other BIG EAST stadiums. Each league's specific instant replay procedures can vary.

THE OBJECTIVE
The Big East’s instant replay system is designed to allow for specific types of officiating mistakes to be immediately reviewed and corrected during all Conference games. Replay may be available during home nonconference match-ups with prior approval by the visiting team.

THE STANDARD
There must be indisputable video evidence for an officiating call to be changed by a Replay Official working from the press box. The replay system will not guarantee that all officiating mistakes are corrected. 

THE SOURCE
During televised games, all reviewable video will come directly from the television network broadcasting the game (ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Plus Television, etc.). In non-televised games, all reviewable video will come directly from four in house video cameras. The review process will never use both television and in-house cameras in any one game.

THE PROCESS
The BIG EAST Conference Instant Replay System is not the NFL Model. A review can only be triggered by the Replay Official in the press box. There is no coach’s challenge. The Replay Officials will have available to them the video coming directly from the television network broadcasting the game or from four in-house video cameras. The DVSport Digital Replay software will be used for all reviews. Unlike the NFL, there is no limit to the number of plays that can be reviewed and time-outs are not charged to teams based on the outcome of the reviews. In addition, the status of the game clock is reviewable. 

THE PLAYS

Reviewable

The following plays are subject to review under Big East instant replay:

1. Plays governed by Sideline, Goal Line, End Zone, and End Line:
  a. Scoring Plays, including a runner breaking the plane of the goal line.
  b. Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted at sideline, goal line and end line.
  c. Runner/receiver in or out of bounds.
  d. Recovery of loose ball in or out of bounds.

2. Passing Plays:
  a. Pass ruled complete/incomplete/intercepted in the field of play and end zones.
  b Touching of a forward pass by an ineligible receiver.
  c. Touching of a forward pass by a defensive player.
  d. Quarterback (Passer) forward pass or fumble (if ruled incomplete, the play is finalized).
  e. Illegal forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage.
  f. Illegal forward pass or illegal handling after change of possession.
  g. Forward or backward pass thrown from behind the. line of scrimmage

3. Other Detectable Infractions:
  a. Runner ruled not down.
  b. Forward progress with respect to first down.
  c. Touching of a kick.
  d. Number of players on field.
  e. Clock adjustments
  f. Fourth-down/try fumble plays

Not Reviewable

Examples:
1. Holding.
2. Offside/encroachment.
3. Pass interference.
4. Personal fouls (e.g., late hits).
5. Illegal blocks.
6. Illegal formations.
7. Face mask.
8. Taunting / excessive celebration.
9. False starts.
10. Roughing passer / kicker.
11. Fighting participants.