THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409290579
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
No one who saw ACC referees blow a crucial call during the North Carolina-Florida State game would be surprised that UNC coach Mack Brown is in favor of using instant video replays.
ACC officials admitted this week that a fumble called against a North Carolina player at a key point in the game should have been ruled an incompletion.
Brown, though, says he was in favor of instant replays even before Saturday night's game.
He acknowledged that replays didn't work in the NFL because of lengthy delays. ``But I am not sure you need to take that much time, or use eight or nine cameras,'' he said.
Brown added that the game seems to be moving too fast for officiating crews to be in position to make every call accurately.
``All officials want to be fair and call a fair game, and I think they would be in favor of using replays,'' he said. ``It really would be a shame if a coach's job is on the line and he doesn't have a fair opportunity to win just because of a mistake.''
FROM ANOTHER ANGLE: Not surprisingly, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden argues that there is no need to have instant replays cluttering the college game.
``I still prefer humanistic calls,'' Bowden said, ``even if you are going to have human errors.''
Bowden initially said he was ``sorry'' about the mistake, too. But, maybe feeling his nose growing longer, he quickly added, ``Well, let me change that. I'm not sorry about that because of what happened.''
The Tar Heels had cut Florida State's lead to 31-18 and were deep in Seminoles territory when the call was made, ending a drive that could have put them within a touchdown of the lead.
LIKES STANICEK: Bowden gave North Carolina quarterback Jason Stanicek's belated Heisman Trophy campaign a boost, rating him ahead of Nebraska's Tommy Frazier.
``Stanicek throws so much better,'' Bowden said. ``Maybe he doesn't run as good, but he makes up for it with his throwing. I have a deep respect for him.''
CAN THE GAME FILM LIE? Virginia coach George Welsh was reluctant to let his players watch the game film he had of Saturday's Division I-AA opponent William and Mary.
Welsh said the film was shot from a low angle, making it appear ``like a high school game.
``They looked so slow,'' Welsh said, ``and I know they are not slow.''
Welsh tossed William and Mary a big compliment when he said it could win some games in the ACC.
``They wouldn't beat Florida State, but they are capable of beating some ACC teams, including us,'' he said.
HAPPY DEVILS: Duke basketball players finally have a football team of which they can be proud.
Fullback Robert Baldwin, who has led the Blue Devils to a 4-0 start, was startled recently when walking through Cameron Indoor Stadium.
``There goes Robert Baldwin,'' he heard someone shout. ``He is the man.'' Baldwin looked to discover that his fan was basketball player Erik Meek.
GREAT TIMING: The Blue Devils were delighted to see so many fans, some camping out, waiting to greet them late Saturday when they returned from Atlanta after a victory over Georgia Tech.
The applause was genuine, but those people really were out there waiting for basketball tickets.
With Navy, Clemson and Wake Forest coming up, there is talk of the football Blue Devils pushing their record to 7-0.
NOT OVER YET: North Carolina State players don't agree with those who claim that Florida State's victory over North Carolina was for the ACC title.
The Wolfpack, off to a 3-0 start, insists it can win the title, even if it takes beating both North Carolina and Florida State to do it.
``We can win the title,'' said wide receiver Eddie Goines. ``That is our main goal.''
N.C. State does represent the Seminoles' toughest ACC road game remaining. But no one really has a handle yet on the Wolfpack, because the N.C. State victories were against Bowling Green, Clemson and Western Carolina.
The No. 22 Wolfpack plays Georgia Tech in a regionally televised game (by ABC) Saturday afternoon.
UP FOR GRABS: Clemson coach Tommy West threw 10 of his 11 starting jobs on offense up for grabs during last week's open date. The only starter assured of keeping his position was wide receiver Antwuan Wyatt.
So far, no word if quarterback Patrick Sapp will keep his starting job. He is being challenged by veteran Louis Solomon and freshman Nealon Greene. by CNB