STAR-BULLETIN / 2002
UH linebacker will return to his roots on the defensive line for some plays tomorrow against Fresno State.
Brown is back Chris Brown is returning to the trenches on a part-time basis.
in the mix on D-line
UH's leading tackler from
Notebook
last year will see some time
at his old position because
of injuries to othersBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comHawaii's all-Western Athletic Conference linebacker and leading tackler of a year ago will probably play some defensive tackle tomorrow when UH (5-2, 4-1 WAC) takes on host Fresno State (4-4, 2-1).
Brown is still the starting middle linebacker in the Warriors' base defense. But in passing situations, Brown will move up to the line of scrimmage -- where he played before switching positions last year.
Keani Alapa's emergence as a pass-defending linebacker and defensive lineman Houston Ala's ankle sprain (Ala did not make the trip) spurred the switch.
Brown used to stay in the game at linebacker in passing situations, but Alapa replaced him in the last two games. Brown's backup, Chad Kalilimoku, has gotten more action lately, partly due to Brown's recurring right shoulder subluxation.
"Moving Keani to nickel takes me out. He's a good pass dropper. I can see that," Brown said. "I'm still learning how to play the pass. I'll do what I can for the team."
Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said he's excited about having Brown, who is tied for second on the team with 51 tackles, back in his unit sometimes.
"We're calling him 'Slash.' He'll play in our Okie package and replace Houston in various nickel packages," Singletary said. "He's a former defensive lineman, so he can do it. He's a strong guy, 500-pound bench presser. He'll take on guys better than any other guys we have. Personally, I think he's still one of our best defensive linemen. To spot play him in certain situations, he'll be ideal."
The 6-1, 255-pound Brown said he has no problem with going up against Fresno State's line, which is the heaviest in the nation, averaging 320 pounds.
"It allows me to show some versatility, show I can still play up on the line with the big boys, handle those linemen and with no doubt about my shoulder," the Damien graduate said.
Playing mostly defensive end in 2000, Brown led UH linemen with 45 tackles. He played backup defensive tackle as a freshman in 1999, making eight tackles.
Ala, who leads UH with four sacks, missed Saturday's 37-14 victory over Tulsa with an ankle sprain. Singletary said Ala needs more time to heal.
Kealii Aguiar, a 6-foot, 310-pound junior from Kekaha, replaces Ala on the travel roster, and Singletary expects him to play some at tackle.
"We'll try to roll him in there," the coach said.
Travis LaBoy leads UH with 11 quarterback hurries and is the team's co-leader in tackles-for-loss with Ala with seven. He will start in place of Ala again. La'anui Correa starts on the other end and Kevin Jackson, who had two sacks last week, will rotate in.
When: Tomorrow, 3:05 p.m. Hawaii time Hawaii vs. Fresno State
Where: Fresno, Calif.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: 1420-AM
UH Athletics
