University of Hawaii wide receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann will undergo further medical tests to determine why he passed out while driving on July 31.
Stutzmann suffered a concussion and several abrasions from the one-car accident. He has not practiced in the first 11 days of the Rainbow Warriors’ training camp.
One of the tests will be a cardiac-stress test.
“I guess it’s for precautionary measures,” Stutzmann said. “I’m hopeful it’s going to be OK.”
Stutzmann was driving alone when he suffered what he termed a blackout. His car struck a pole, and the car’s airbag was activated.
In addition to the concussion, Stutzmann said, “I came out with a black eye and a little bruise on my head and some cuts. It could be from the airbag or the windshield. I’m not sure.”
He said he did not ingest alcohol or drugs “or anything like that.”
“I just remember waking up and the airbag was in my face,” Stutzmann said. “It was a scary moment.”
He passed the concussion-assessment test last week, but has not been cleared to play until he is ruled physically fit.
Stutzmann said he suffered some abnormal symptoms while working out a few years ago.
“I put myself through a lot of stress, and I’d lost vision for five, 10 seconds,” Stutzmann recalled.
“Eventually, it would come back. I did a stress test then. Everything was OK.”
Stutzmann, who led the Warriors in receptions (35) and receiving yards (447) in 2012, said it has been difficult missing practice.
“I’ll be back soon,” Stutzmann said.
EVAN’S QB HISTORY HELPING HIM AT TIGHT END
In the takes-one-to-know-one category, tight end Clark Evans has developed a strong connection with the UH quarterbacks.
Part of the reason is Evans is fit and in the second year of this offense; part is because Evans is a former quarterback.
“That’s definitely an advantage,” quarterback Sean Schroeder said of Evans’ ability to speed-read defenses. “His knowledge of the game helps.”
Quarterback Taylor Graham said Evans “understands coverages. He’s seen it through a quarterback’s eyes. As a quarterback, you have to understand everything that’s going on. His history of playing quarterback helps his understanding in reading coverages and safeties.”
Strength coach Gary Beemer designed an offseason program that focused on metabolic conditioning involving intense drills with short breaks. Beemer said Evans improved his strength and endurance.
“He attacked the program,” Beemer said.
With the help of tight ends coach Phil Rauscher and line coach Chris Naeole, Evans focused on footwork and blocking in unison with the offensive linemen.
“We’re on the same page with the offensive line and the tight ends,” Evans said.
Evans has played on the first-team offense the past three practices.
“We’ve all been in (the offense) for a year,” Evans said. “We know the plays, basically. We’re working on fine-tuning everything and getting it all perfect.”
WARRIORS WORKING ON TWO-MINUTE DRILL
For Monday’s afternoon practice, the Warriors spent 10 minutes working on the two-minute drill.
“The two-minute is a hard drill to practice because the defense knows the calls and the plays,” coach Norm Chow said. “We have to practice mechanics all the time — when to move the center, when to call the field goal, when to call a timeout.”
The Warriors had two restarts before pulling off an effective drive to set up Tyler Hadden’s 43-yard field-goal attempt.
“It’s a challenge for sure, but a lot of games are won or lost in two minutes,” Graham said. “You may run it one time a year, but have to work it to perfection. We did a good job at the end. It’s about getting completions. It might be 2 yards and a guy might miss a tackle, but you’ve got to make the completions.”