Thursday, August 29, 1996
Projected starting free safety Eddie Klaneski moved to right cornerback during yesterday's practice at Cooke Field after Robbie Robinson went down with a pinched nerve in his neck.
"I'm probably out for this game," Robinson said. "It hurts pretty bad if I turn my head too fast.
"If I can't play this weekend, I'll be back for the next game. It's just one of those things."
Fortunately for the Rainbows, Klaneski played cornerback at Damien High School. The junior said yesterday that it's a lot different than playing free safety.
"At free safety, you have to think first to see how the play develops," Klaneski said. "At corner, you have to be more athletic. You've got to stick with your man wherever he goes."
UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey said that junior college transfers Chico Bennett and Blase Austin could see some time there as well.
"Lack of depth in the secondary is a concern," Lindsey said. "If we go with Eddie at corner, then Steve Laulu will get the start at free safety.
"He's never played at this level. Neither has Chico or Blase. For that matter, Eddie has never played defense at this level, so you see what we're up against."
Defensive end Brian Chapman was held out of yesterday's light workout after fluid built up on his left knee. He sprained it during the first day of fall camp.
Running back Carlos Shaw sprained his ankle and probably won't play this weekend. Michael Petersen's shoulder that was operated on last spring is bothering him, and he's questionable as well.
"We're hoping these guys won't be sidelined too long," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said.
Most of fall camp, Shaw, Jade Charles, Lonn Kalama and Paul Purdy appeared to be the top two tailbacks and fullbacks, respectively.
But the Rainbows will go with Brendyn Agbayani at tailback and Tony Thomas at fullback when they line up this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
"These guys will start, but we'll still be running by committee," running backs coach Don Dillon said. "We feel like Tony and Brendyn give us that little burst of speed you need in this offense."
The starting offensive front held no such surprises, but that was not the case at wide receiver.
On one side, Jason Mane will start in place of Gerald Lacey thanks to a strong finish at fall camp. The other starter is Dillan Micus, with Ryan Green getting the nod at tight end.
Glenn Freitas is the top quarterback, and as predicted, freshman Josh Skinner moved to No. 2 over Johnny Macon.
Defensively, the starting front four of Brian Chapman, Ben Bright, Kekoa Kilcoyne and Ellie Kapihe was expected.
The linebackers will be Doug Rosevold, Stephen Gonzales and Greg Roach. The secondary has Klaneski, Laulu, Al Hunter and Doe Henderson.
"We'll have different guys coming in and out of there until we solidify this thing," Lindsey said. "The one constant we have is lack of experience."
He said he had enrolled at school this semester and was taking 21 credit hours. Rumor has it that Ornellas wants to play football for the Rainbows next year, but must catch up on his schoolwork first.
Ornellas left the team last fall, saying football was no longer fun. He returned briefly after vonAppen was named head coach, but decided to leave before spring football began.
He spent a few months in Oregon last spring, trying to sort things out.
Other than being a little sunburned yesterday, he appeared to be in good shape.
The sophomore closed out the 1995 season with three consecutive 100-yard games against Syracuse, Miami of Florida and Rutgers.
In those three games, he had 344 yards rushing on 48 carries. He missed spring practice because of a cyst on his left foot, but returned to fall camp at 100 percent.