Feelings of déjà vu continue to plague the UCLA
football program after the revelation that sophomore backup
quarterback John Sciarra was charged this summer for misdemeanor
accounts of disorderly conduct, public intoxication and providing a
false name to a police officer.
UCLA officials were unaware of the incident until Monday, when a
reporter informed head coach Karl Dorrell of the Aug. 8 arrest, but
have now suspended Sciarra from this weekend’s home opener against
Illinois.
"Obviously, John’s disappointed that he let down his teammates
and (let) the program down," Dorrell said after Tuesday’s practice,
"but I’m sure that he’s going to learn from this. We’re going to
support him in the issues he’s involved in, and hopefully get over
this and move on."
Police were called on Aug. 8 following a report of a disturbance
at a Newport Beach, Calif. store, where Sciarra and another man, 23
year-old Chad Heydorff of La Cañada Flintridge, Calif., were
allegedly intoxicated. Only later was it realized Sciarra had
allegedly given a false name to the police.
The incident has become another problem to mount for the
first-year coach after last week’s suspension of reserve defensive
back Marcus Cassel for a reported DUI and the injury of starting
quarterback Matt Moore–which prompted the coaches to move Sciarra
up to backup behind now starter Drew Olson.
"It’s unfortunate a situation like this had to arise at a point
in the summer when we’re not around to help educate them and help
keep things under wrap," Dorrell said. "But the kids have free time
over the summer and sometimes get into situations where they make
mistakes, and this was one of those."
A similar incident occurred two years ago when it was revealed,
just a few days before UCLA played USC, that starting quarterback
Cory Paus failed to inform then head coach Bob Toledo two arrests.
But, in contrast, Dorrell remains firm to his one-game suspension,
despite the need for quarterbacks.
"We’re in a tough situation," Dorrell said, "But we’ve got to do
what’s right and what’s right is dealing with the situation and
hopefully get through this (week’s) game without anything
major."
"That’s the policy we have set for this program and that’s the
policy for every person in this program including myself. We’re
just trying to get through this, and we’re just going to move
on."
Sciarra–who has only thrown 12 passes throughout his UCLA
tenure and whose father, John Sciarra Sr., was a UCLA All-American
quarterback in 1976–will be replaced by walk-on freshman Brian
Callahan, son of Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan. In case
of an emergency, the responsibility will fall on wide receiver Josh
Roenicke.
For now, all surrounding the Bruin football program hope to get
past the unfortunate incidents of late but continue to give Sciarra
support.
"We’re going to deal with and support him and move on from
here," Dorrell said. "From this point on, it’s over and done with,
and we’re going to prepare for Illinois."