Jones wanted Warrior lineman Inferrera ejected

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones said offensive tackle Jeremy Inferrera did not violate the team's anti-violence rule when he was ejected from Saturday's 41-38 victory over Michigan State and will be allowed to compete in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve.

Inferrera

During a scuffle after a UH touchdown in the second quarter, head official Frank White announced that Michigan State defensive end Clifton Ryan was ejected from the game. About 15 seconds later, White announced Inferrera also was ejected.

But Jones said Inferrera was not officially "thrown out of the game. I basically threw him out of the game. I told Frank to eject him."

Jones said Inferrera will be eligible to play in the bowl game, but still will face disciplinary action.

"We'll deal with him," Jones said.

Jones said he had warned his players against fighting in a meeting before the game.

"I had drawn a standard for the guys," Jones said. "We knew there was going to be a lot of emotion. I told the guys (if they are hit), they can't punch back. Even though Jeremy was punched (first), he retaliated back."

The rule was created as a response to an on-field fight between Hawai'i and Houston players following last year's Hawai'i Bowl at Aloha Stadium. UH athletic director Herman Frazier suspended four Warriors for one game and, in collaboration with Jones, crafted a rule that specifically punishes players who are ejected for fighting.

The Warriors expect to be healthier for this year's Hawai'i Bowl. Slotback Se'e Poumele, who missed the past six games because of a fractured left wrist, said he might be available to play on Christmas Eve. In five games, Poumele has 13 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

Jones said outside linebacker Paul Lutu-Carroll, who is recovering from a sprained left knee, also might be available.

"We have a chance to get everybody back for the bowl game," Jones said.

Jones spent most of yesterday reflecting on the Warriors' comeback victory over Michigan State that clinched a winning regular season and qualified them for a berth in the Hawai'i Bowl. The Warriors won their final three regular-season games. They are 7-1 at Aloha Stadium this year.

"I knew we could win at home against anybody, and we've proven that," Jones said. "I'm glad the kids kept believing they could. It was definitely a team effort from the get-go. The fans were unbelievable. They became our 12th man. I thought they were a big factor in the game. It was a complete game. It was pretty awesome."

When the Warriors fell behind 21-0, Jones recalled telling the players, "Hey, they haven't done anything yet, it's just us. Let's go score another one before the half and get back into the game and get the crowd back into the game." Jones said: "And that's what we did."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.