Fresno State athletic director Scott Johnson issued a public apology today for aggressive behavior by some FSU fans at last Friday’s football game between Hawaii and Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium. Fresno State A.D.
All-stater Pula interested in UH
apologizes for fansBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comJohnson addressed complaints made Monday by UH coach June Jones. Jones said fans threw items, including a screwdriver, onto the playing field and the UH sideline near the end of the Warriors’ 31-21 victory.
“After a complete investigation by our staff, which included a discussion with June Jones earlier today, we believe that a screwdriver was thrown by one of our fans at the University of Hawaii team bench during last Friday’s home football game. We sincerely apologize to June Jones, the Warrior football team and the University of Hawaii for the incident,” Johnson’s statement said.
“I am embarrassed by that type of fan behavior. ... We will not tolerate fans throwing objects onto the field. This is a serious issue. Anyone caught throwing anything onto the field in the future will be dealt with accordingly, including criminal charges.”
Despite the screwdriver incident and a few others including plastic bottles being thrown on the field, Jones said the security is getting better at Bulldog Stadium and the situation is no worse than at several NFL stadiums he has coached at.
“I appreciate it, but ... they didn’t have to apologize. They did a great job on security,” Jones said today. “It was an improvement over what they did two years ago. It’s unfortunate one or two drunks do something that affects the whole school.”
Kapanui to outside linebacker: It's not a done deal according to defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa, but sophomore Chad Kapanui is probably shifting positions -- again.
Kapanui was recruited as a quarterback out of Roosevelt High School. Since then, he's been moved to outside linebacker, back to quarterback, then to running back, to safety, and now back to outside linebacker.
Lempa said Kapanui would begin practicing with the unit today. He probably won't play the position Saturday as UH (6-1, 5-2) hosts San Jose State (4-5, 2-2), but might when the Warriors go to Rice and try to stop the Owls' option attack in two weeks.
Kapanui's latest move could be a long-term one. Both of UH's starting outside linebackers might be gone next year -- Matt Wright and Pisa Tinoisamoa are both seniors (Tinoisamoa could regain a year of eligibility, though).
"He's smart and physical and athletic," Lempa said. "We just need to find a position where he can make a commitment and we can make a commitment to him."
Kapanui has been in on 17 tackles this season, mostly on special teams.
Kapanui, who has the strongest arm on the team, hasn't given up on trying quarterback again.
MRI for Ala: What was originally diagnosed as a sprained left ankle has become an Achilles' problem for junior defensive tackle and end Houston Ala.
The injury kept Ala out of last Friday's victory at Fresno State.
UH's sack leader (with four) is scheduled to undergo an MRI today to see if he might be able to play Saturday.
Repentant: Hawaii cornerback Abraham Elimimian didn't have to run extra wind sprints for throwing a pylon in disgust at an official's call Friday at Fresno State. But the sophomore did get a warning not to do it again.
"Coach (June) Jones didn't really say anything about that, but coach Lempa did," said Elimimian, who said he regrets the action. "If I didn't do that it would've been a perfect week. I'm going to try to be a lot more calm from now on."
On Broadway: UH second-year freshman Lamar Broadway is among several talented young athletes awaiting his turn in the Warriors' crowded secondary.
"I'm hanging in there. I'm still a freshman, and it's only my second year as a cornerback. I'm still learning and ripening into the defensive player I know I can be."
Broadway was a late addition to Hawaii's travel squad last week and played on the punt return team in UH's 31-21 victory at Fresno State.
"I was thinking heavily about going to Fresno. I went there for football camps all through high school," said Broadway, a high school teammate of Mike Bass at Centennial High in Corona, Calif. "But I felt the aloha out here. San Jose State offered, too. But something about leaving home, leaving the state. I wanted to grow up and be on my own."
Short yardage: Jones awarded game balls from the Fresno win to wide receiver Justin Colbert, cornerback Kelvin Millhouse and kicker Justin Ayat. ... Defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who was expected to miss two to three months with a broken ankle in the Eastern Illinois game on Aug. 31, will not return this season. ... Sophomore inside receiver Chad Owens, who sprained his right knee Oct. 12 against Nevada, said "maybe" when asked yesterday if he'll be ready for the Rice game Nov. 16. ... San Jose State quarterback Scott Rislov is tied with current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia (1993) and Steve Clarkson for 10th on the school's single-season list for pass completions with 196. ... San Jose State plans to have three practice sessions between tonight's arrival and Saturday's game.
Around the WAC: With Jon Schaper and Orlando Cruz injured, Texas-El Paso coach Gary Nord has decided to let Omar Duarte and true freshman Phillip Moss duel for starting quarterback duties. "Omar and Phillip will battle it out in practice this week," he said. "They'll both go through some growing pains, but we'll help them out as much as possible." ... Nevada's Nate Burleson, who leads the nation in receptions and is second in receiving yards, has been named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver. ... Rice freshman linebacker Adam Herrin, the WAC special teams player of the week, is the son of former Texas A&M player Billy Herrin. Billy Herrin's roommate as an Aggie? Current SMU coach Phil Bennett, whose team Adam helped the Owls beat 27-15 on Saturday by blocking a punt that went for a touchdown.