Tagoa‘i’s troubles
with Nebraska law
continue
LINCOLN, Neb. >> Suspended Nebraska offensive lineman Junior Tagoa'i was fined $350 yesterday for a 2-year-old charge of disturbing the peace.
The Saint Louis School alumnus also is scheduled to be sentenced next Friday in Lancaster County Court on an assault charge for hitting his former girlfriend while she was holding their child. He pleaded no contest to that charge last month.
Also next Friday, he will face a hearing on a contempt charge filed after he allegedly made an obscene gesture in the direction of a judge while in court.
Huskers head coach Frank Solich has said he won't comment on the senior's status with the team until after he has been sentenced on all the charges.
Tagoa'i, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound Oahu native was listed No. 1 at right guard on the Cornhuskers' depth chart following spring practice. Because of his suspension, Tagoa'i was not allowed to report to preseason camp, which started Aug. 5.
He is not listed on the depth chart that was released prior to the start of fall camp and he is not included in the Husker media guide.
Tagoa'i told Lancaster County Judge Gale Pokorny yesterday that he is taking anger management classes to recognize his problems and work them out.
He could have received up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The charge stemmed from an incident in October 2001 involving a fight with his girlfriend. Two months later, birth records indicate, the woman gave birth to Tagoa'i's daughter.
Croyle wants to keep Tide rolling: If there's one reassuring thing for Brodie Croyle is he's finally Alabama's starting quarterback.
"Coming off the bench is tough for any quarterback," said Croyle, a sophomore who alternated last season with senior starter Tyler Watts. "You have to have the right mindset to do it. It's a whole lot easier if you go into a game knowing you're the starter, and it's your game to win or lose."
In the process of throwing for 1,046 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions, Croyle learned from Watts.
During his Crimson Tide career, Watts alternated with Andrew Zow. A much-heralded Alabama high school prospect -- like Croyle -- Zow had to handle media, fans and family who constantly asked why he wasn't the sole starter.
"I learned a lot off the field from Tyler; he was really a class act," Croyle said. "When people asked me why wasn't I starting, I learned to just look at them and smile."
The Associated Press and the Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) contributed to this report.
