Traditionalist coaches scoff at instant replay

By David Den Herder

Daily Sports Editor

Lloyd Carr and Ohio State coach John Cooper may guide rival programs, but they can agree on one thing: Instant replay has no place in college football.

After two incorrect fumble calls last week in the Michigan-Illinois game, Big Ten media have mumbled about the possibility.

Does the technology exist? Certainly.

Is it feasible? Not if you ask them.

"It would not bother me to have instant replay on the college level, but I don't think financially you're going to see that happen," Cooper said. "There are a lot of schools that are struggling just to have a football program."

Carr acknowledges that the college game is already significantly longer than its NFL counterpart, and said that replay would be a "distraction and not positive."

"We can spend that kind of money in much better ways than on electronic equipment for instant replay," Carr said.

Illinois fourth-year coach Ron Turner dissents - and claims that last Saturday's game did not affect his feeling on the matter.

"If you would have asked me this question last week I would have given you the same answer," Turner said. "With the technology we have now days, there's plenty of money, plenty of resources. If the NCAA made a decision, it could happen."

But Turner said that traditionalist-minded coaches will likely prevent its implementation.

Meanwhile, Carr voiced his frustration with the Big Ten after it acknowledged Monday that the fumble calls were incorrect.

"I have made (comments about) my extreme displeasure with the conference office regarding the press release - I've made my comments to them," Carr said.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno mentioned that instant replay "might be something we could take a look at," but admitted that he hadn't had much time to think about it.

Buckeyes visit paralyzed Penn State corner

Taliaferro still hospitalized:

Paterno couldn't sleep Saturday night, and said he struggled with the decision to come home with the team or stay at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus after Saturday's game.

Penn State freshman corner Adam Taliaferro was seriously injured on the field Saturday, incurring a severe cervical spine injury.

According to a statement released by Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Taliaferro "was able to bend his elbows and things like that but he really had no feeling in his hands, had no ability to move his fingers, and had no feeling in his legs."

Taliaferro suffers from a "burst fracture" to his C5 vertebra, which is about midway down the neck. In most cases, the patient does not recover very much feeling.

"If a cord is cut, there's not a chance," Sebastianelli said.
"If a cord is bruised, there's a chance. We really don't know what kind of chance that would be."

Taliaferro was given X-Rays, CAT scans and an MRI after the game to determine his prognosis and underwent surgery in an attempt to repair nerve damage.

"He's got a tough road ahead of him," Paterno said. "He's beginning to sense some things in his legs and hands."

Cooper and other Buckeyes have visited Taliaferro several times since his hospitalization.

"Every once in a while you forget how great this game is," Paterno said. "People go out there and knock each other around, but in the clutch they're there for each other."

The team has organized a student support rally and prayer that will take place this Friday at noon in front of "Old Main," Penn State's student commons.

Van Dyke practicing

Michigan State quarterback Ryan Van Dyke practiced with the team Monday and yesterday had the chance to "run the team," coach Bobby Williams said.

"Ryan has made a lot of progress," Williams said. "He's taking it hard because he really wants to play. He's worked very hard during the off season."

Van Dyke has been sidleined with a broken thumb since the season opener against Marshall. In his absence, true freshman Jeff Smoker has guided the Spartans to a perfect record so far, going into the Northwestern game this Saturday.

Williams did not say whether Van Dyke would be ready for the Wildcats, who are coming off an upset of No. 17 Wisconsin, but assured reporters he was still the starter.

"As soon as Ryan's healthy he'll be back in there," Williams said.

Northwestern had a huge victory over Wisconsin, and they're coming in here with an excellent team."