The Associated Press

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer instructs Jomo Fagan (84) this week during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

The Big Ten has taken a step toward using instant replay in football games, implementing a pilot program to determine whether to use it for real in the future.

Commissioner Jim Delany said Thursday the conference would use a test program for a handful of games this season to determine the effects of replay.

It will be based on the NFL's system of limited challenges. An independent person hired by the conference will decide which plays should be challenged based on game situations. The plays will be reviewed using the television feed.

The coaches voted unanimously in favor of using replay in games, while athletic directors were split. A study by Big Ten head of officiating Dave Perry said that about 15-to-20 calls would have been overturned in 76 games last year if the conference had the system.

In order to use replay in games, the Big Ten would need a waiver from the NCAA. Delany said before that happens he would seek approval from university presidents because of the multimillion-dollar cost of replay and would hope to get other conferences on board.

The NFL spent about $10 million to implement its program and several million a year to run it. Delany said the Big Ten could use a less expensive system.

The conference also:

• Agreed to allow officials to work at spring practice and games and fall camp to increase training opportunities.

• Enacted crowd control initiatives to try to limit postgame rioting and heckling of players.

Home teams must provide adequate security and protection for the visiting team and game officials. They also will be responsible for school-sponsored student sections that attack or single out players.

Also, replays of controversial calls will be prohibited from being shown on stadium video boards.

OHIO STATE: The former teaching assistant who charged that star tailback Maurice Clarett received preferential treatment in the classroom won't talk to a university committee.

"I don't trust OSU with my information," Norma C. McGill said "I'll trust an NCAA investigator."

McGill alleged that Clarett walked out of a midterm in African-American and African studies, where she was a teaching assistant, in the fall of 2002. She said he was later given an oral exam, which she said was unusual. Clarett passed.

PURDUE: Running back Joey Harris, the team's leading rusher last year, was ruled academically ineligible for his senior season. Harris, who ran for more than 1,100 yards last season, needed to average a B in three summer school classes to remain eligible.

VIRGINIA: Wide receiver Michael McGrew broke his leg in practice and will miss the 2003 season.

The 6-foot-2 senior was Virginia's top returning wideout with 27 receptions for 428 yards and two touchdowns last season.

FLORIDA STATE: A jury of six women deliberated less than 30 minutes before finding defensive lineman Travis Johnson innocent of a rape charge. Johnson could have faced up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

WISCONSIN: Suspended linebacker Darius Jones won't miss the season opener at West Virginia, but will skip the Badgers' game Sept. 6 against Akron at Camp Randall Stadium. Jones was suspended for one game for violating team rules.

PITTSBURGH: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who set several freshman school receiving records last season, injured a hamstring.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Lou Holtz says his wife, Beth, found out Thursday there was "vast improvement" in her medical condition after her lungs started filling with fluid a couple of months ago.