Friday, August 23, 1996
University of Hawaii head coach Fred vonAppen said that if Glenn Freitas went down with an injury against Boston College, it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility for Josh Skinner to see some playing time in the game.
"Obviously, our first choice would be Johnny Macon because of his experience," vonAppen said. "But as we've said before, our offense would be limited with Johnny in there, so we might be forced to use one of our freshmen given the set of circumstances."
That would most likely be Skinner because fellow freshman John Gurasich and redshirt freshman Hunter Young have been slowed by injuries in practice.
Skinner also has a firm hand with the option game, something the Rainbows have been working on extensively during two-a-days at Barbers Point.
"We could use the Veer option as much as 60 percent of the time," UH offensive coordinator Guy Benjamin said. "It's not the same option they ran last year, but the principles are the same."
VonAppen has been impressed with Skinner's abilities to get control of a huddle, and to handle the West Coast and option phases of the offense.
"He gets very angry with himself if he makes a mistake," vonAppen said. "I also like some of the intangibles he has on the field. The lads respect him."
Macon also is becoming quite a wide receiver. He has made several difficult grabs in practice, something not lost on receivers coach Ken Margerum.
"Johnny wants to be on the field," Margerum said. "If it isn't at quarterback, then he wants to be the best he can be at receiver."
GREEN GONE: Top Hawaii tight end Ryan Green has been ruled ineligible for not having sufficient credits in his major.
The senior transfer from the University of Pacific contracted hepatitis last fall and withdrew from classes, something the university approved. Green then transferred to UH this spring after Pacific dropped its football program.
Yesterday, the Big West Conference ruled that Green should have counted that fall semester toward his eligibility. Under that ruling, he doesn't have enough credits to remain eligible.
VonAppen believes the interpretation is incorrect and that Green shouldn't have to adhere to the Big West's ruling since he is no longer competing in that conference.
But at this point, the decision stands, leaving the Rainbows without a tight end with Division I experience. Former Kahuku High standout Zeff Ah Quinn moves to the head of the class, although vonAppen hopes the ruling will be overturned.
ON THE BEACH: Yesterday's morning practice was so bad, vonAppen decided to give the players the afternoon off.
"We loaded up some buses and let them go to the beach," vonAppen said. "We couldn't have been any worse in the morning workout, so I thought it better to give them a break.
"We're beginning to hit the law of diminishing returns. Hopefully, we can come back (today) and have some crisper workouts."
The players seemed to have enjoyed it.
"It's not like Waikiki," Brendyn Agbayani said, then smiled. "But it was a nice break."
WONG WANTSRELEASE: Hauoli Wong met with UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida yesterday to discuss the possibility of receiving his release.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss it," Yoshida said. "I want to meet with Fred. I'll stand by his decision."
VonAppen said he didn't want to give Wong a release if the offensive lineman transferred to a WAC school.
If vonAppen released Wong, he could go to another school and be on scholarship. If vonAppen didn't give Wong his release, he could go to another school, but would have to pay his own way.
Either way, Wong has to sit out one year before becoming eligible as a junior.