Oregon coach Willie Taggart announced at a press conference on Monday that linebacker Kaulana Apelu, a 2015 Kamehameha graduate, will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle in a 45-24 win over California on Saturday.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior shot up the middle on the first play of the second quarter and tackled Cal running back Vic Enwere for a 2-yard loss. Apelu rolled over and got up but then quickly motioned toward the sideline and ran off hobbling under his own power.
Apelu suffered season-ending knee injuries in high school in the first game of both his junior and senior seasons.
He walked on at Oregon in the summer of 2015 and was given a scholarship just prior to the start of this season. He had a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss against Cal before exiting with an injury.
Overall, Apelu is fifth on the team with 20 tackles and tied for fifth with three tackles for loss this season.
Oregon defensive tackle Scott Pagano (Moanalua ’13), who played his first game with the Ducks two weeks ago against Wyoming, assisted on his first two tackles of the season against the Bears.
Cal receiver Kanawai Noa (Punahou ’15) continued to shine as Cal’s top target with a career-high seven receptions for 126 yards and scored his first collegiate TD on a 75-yard reception in the third quarter that pulled Cal within 10 at 24-14.
Get well young man! This kid is an undersized BEAST……..