It's settled: UCLA and USC will each lose only one timeout

A decision to restore the tradition of USC and UCLA both wearing home jerseys in their rivalry game almost came at a hefty price ... but now it looks like cooperation between the coaches will ensure a return to the practice after more than a quarter-century layoff.

The NCAA Football Rules Committee decided Tuesday that as a penalty for not wearing white, the visiting team (USC, this year) will be penalized one timeout in the first half only. USC Coach Pete Carroll had already decided to move forward with the cardinal jerseys, even if it meant losing one timeout per half.

UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel has agreed to burn one timeout immediately at the start of the game, putting both teams on an equal playing field.

Carroll has invited UCLA to wear their true blue jerseys at the Coliseum next year, and pledged to burn a timeout just like Neuheisel plans to do for him.

—Adam Rose