All recommendations from the committee will be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) February 24.

Many Division I-A conferences requested the ability to experiment with a replay system for the 2005 season after the successful implementation in the Big Ten.

"The response to video replay nationally and in the Big Ten was overwhelmingly positive," said Charles Broyles, athletics director and head football coach at Pittsburg State University and chair of the committee. "When we have the ability to correct a potentially game-changing error, and we have the technology to do so, we feel this improves the fairness of the game and directly improves the student-athlete experience."

The committee decided to recommend flexibility in specific instant replay procedures, but will be consistent with what types of plays may or may not be reviewed.

"The preparation, training and educational effort needed to properly administer a system of review requires a commitment from a conference to make it run successfully," Broyles said. "There certainly is interest at the Division I-A level, and our committee wants to encourage developments that will help the game, but we also want to make sure it is accomplished properly."

Conferences interested in using instant replay must confirm its administrative plans and system for use with the committee by June 1. Any exceptions to the already-approved process must be requested of the rules committee and will be discussed on a committee conference call June 8. The committee will send guidelines used last season to all conferences that indicate an interest in using the system.

Instant replay will not be allowed in postseason bowl games or an NCAA championship because the committee believes further experimentation is needed.

"The logistics of properly running a video replay system are such that we did not feel comfortable allowing blanket approval for bowl games or championships," Broyles said.

The committee also passed a rule limiting line blocking to protect the safety of student-athletes. In the past, blocking from behind was allowed near the line of scrimmage. Under the new rule, such blocks will be limited to contact above the knee.

"We all feel that this rule protects the student-athlete and will make the game safer, which is one of our main charges," Broyles said. "This is a significant change that we hope will eliminate some dangerous line blocks."

The committee also discussed another safety issue, that of helmet-to-helmet contact and spearing. The group reviewed a report from an American Football Coaches Association task force and made some suggested wording changes, mainly deleting any reference to intentional contact in that area.

"The committee feels it is important to clarify this rule for officials, and by taking a player's intention out of the equation, we hope this will assist in the proper enforcement of the rule," Broyles said. "That said, it should be clear that when a player uses his helmet to punish an opponent, it is a foul and must be penalized. This type of act is dangerous for both the player being hit and the player doing the hitting."

Committee members also defined regulations in the area of unsportsmanlike conduct and celebration penalties to assist officials, players and coaches to understand what type of action warrants a penalty. While that should not be regarded as a lessening of the standard, the committee does believe that spontaneous celebrations that are not prolonged or intended to bring attention to the individual should be allowed on a limited basis. A defined list of unacceptable behavior will be included in the 2005 rules book.

"College football is fun," Broyles said. "For the most part, our officials understand what is and isn't excessive, and what does or does not constitute taunting an opponent. We just want to better define those things and make sure everyone is on the same page in this area."

A full listing of the rules changes, once approved by the PROP, will be made available on the NCAA Web site at www.ncaa.org.