Monday, September 2, 1996
One of the officials agreed with field judge Dave Usecheck's flag on Hunter against receiver Dennis Harding, and took time to explain the rule after the game.
"I almost threw the flag myself because I thought I caught it out of the corner of my eye," said an official, who asked not to be identified. "But the corner was holding the receiver before the ball ever got there.
"If you hand-check a receiver enough to impede his rightful path to the football, then that's holding. You don't have to grab the jersey to get that call."
Hunter definitely had contact with Harding before and after he knocked the ball away. Many fans - and even Eagles head coach Dan Henning - thought it was ruled pass interference, but such was not the case.
Ironically, the penalty-plagued Rainbows of a year ago committed only four for 39 yards, but Hunter's proved costly.
"It was a coverage that I had the flats and I'm supposed to reroute my receiver inside," Hunter said. "So I guess when I rerouted him, the quarterback threw the ball just in time, so he can get a p.i. (pass interference)."
But Al, the call was holding.
"I didn't hold him," he said. "I had the open hand, but the ref saw what he saw and he made the call. I couldn't say anything to him. I've just got to learn from this mistake and make up for it next game."
Don't look for vonAppen to do any complaining. While he might not agree with the call, in his mind, the outcome of the game didn't hinge on that play.
"I never blame the officials for deciding a game," vonAppen said. "There were some calls we questioned. Like on that fourth-and-nine play, we thought he might have passed the ball beyond the line of scrimmage.
"But hey, you have to live with those things. Sometimes you get the breaks and sometimes the other guy gets them. That's how it goes."
"I'll be in there Saturday," Freitas said. "It's just a little sore. You can count on it."
The report wasn't as promising for fullback Paul Purdy, who will be out at least one game with a separated shoulder.
Also doubtful for this weekend's game against the Bobcats are offensive guard C.B. Wentling and backup defensive end Branch Nautu. Both have ankle sprains.
Backup defensive back Gery Graham also bruised a shoulder, while offensive lineman Mark Hernandez injured his hand.
"It was a tough, physical ballgame and we came out a little roughed up," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said. "The only person I know who is out for sure is Purdy.
"We think Glenn will be OK. He didn't tell anybody right away that he was hurt, but our trainers suspected something was wrong."
In case you're wondering, the No. 2 quarterback is Josh Skinner.
VonAppen also said that cornerback Robbie Robinson should return from a pinched nerve in his neck. Eddie Klaneski started in his place.
He did such a good job, it's possible Klaneski will stay at corner and sophomore Steve Laulu will be at free safety.
Freshman punter Eric Hannum was inconsistent at best, averaging 39.9 yards on nine punts. He was forced into action when Chad Shrout had to return home because of a family emergency.
The Rainbows also allowed 66 return yards on four punts, including a 34-yarder by Derrick Crittenden that set up a key touchdown for Boston College just before the half.
On the positive side, Hunter had a blocked kick, but the Rainbows struggled some on kickoff returns, including one pooch kick that Boston College nearly recovered deep in Hawaii territory.
"We didn't play particularly well on special teams," vonAppen said. "And in a close game, they're usually the difference."
"Some things came off better than we might have anticipated," vonAppen said of Saturday's loss. "The name of the game is to win. And we didn't do that.
"What frequently can occur - that when people's expectations weren't very high for us - is they're going to pat us on the back, or pat the players on the back, and say, 'Gee, great job.'
"And basically what they're telling you is that we don't think you're worth a damn, and you were closer than we anticipated. That's a left-handed compliment at the very least."