Monday, Nov. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Freitas, who had been taken out of the game after the 10th-ranked Cougars had built up a big lead in the fourth quarter, raced into the lower section behind the Hawaii bench, reportedly to defend his father, whom witnesses said was being attacked.
Freitas left the field and Aloha Stadium before the end of the game and could not be reached for comment.
Also, Thea vonAppen, the wife of Hawaii coach Fred vonAppen, said she received a cut lip while trying to serve as a peacemaker and redshirt running back Quincy Jacobs "was jumped" during the melee while trying to protect Thea vonAppen.
She said she had gone down to where Jacobs was sitting to keep from trying to break up one of the fights.
While they were talking, a man who had earlier been escorted from his seat for fight jumped on her and Jacobs, vonAppen said.
"(Quincy) was only trying to protect me," she said. "He covered me while this guy was punching us."
Police, who used pepper spray to disperse the combatants, said one male was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge and several others were escorted out of the stadium.
Fred VonAppen ordered the Hawaii locker room closed to reporters after the game, the first time he's done that this season.
Hawaii athletic director Hugh Yoshida said an investigation would be conducted to determine what touched off the brawls.
"I don't have all the facts," he said. "We don't know what happened. We'll let the police take its course.
"We need to step back and get all the facts before we act on this."
Brigham Young won the game 45-14.
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