UB defensive end Anthony Andriano is playing out the final days of his Bulls football career with a legal cloud over his head.
Andriano, a senior, was arrested and issued a restraining order earlier this month by Amherst Town Court for assaulting former teammate and roommate Jeff Moss.
Andriano's Nov. 3 arraignment resulted in an order of protection and an ACD, or adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, against the Bulls' starting long-snapper, who also plays defense and special teams. Essentially, the ACD means that if Andriano refrains from contact with Moss and stays out of any other legal trouble, the charges will be dropped.
Both the order of protection and the ACD are scheduled to remain in effect until May 3, 2006.
Moss, a punter on the team for the 2003 season and part of 2004, alleges the assault occurred outside his room and was the result of a dispute over missing money and property in their house.
"Anthony went outside looking at me through the screen door and started calling me names," Moss said. "After a few minutes he came in where I was sitting and he stood over top of me and put one hand on my neck and one hand on my face. He threw my head up against the wall three or four times, saying, 'I'm going to kill you, I'm going to shoot you.' "
Paul Vecchio, director of communications for UB athletics, said the Department of Athletics refused to comment on the issue.
Andriano has played every game since his arrest and arraignment. Vecchio declined to say whether he has received any internal punishment for the arrest.
Moss said when he attempted to leave the apartment, Andriano then hit him with a spatula and momentarily obstructed his exit before stepping aside and spitting on car his window.
Before pressing charges, Moss said he went to head coach Jim Hofher and then Athletic Director Warde Manuel, both of whom have also declined to comment.
"My face was swollen and I had a pretty obvious bruise on my neck," said Moss, who asked that a punishment be administered within the team. "I went into coach Hofher's office and told him about the situation. He was taken back by the situation and told me he would do everything he could."
Immediately following his meeting with Hofher, Moss said he went to Manuel.
"I explained to him the situation and he was probably in the most disbelief of anyone I talked to," Moss said. "He took my phone number and said he would speak with coach Hofher and Anthony. Now it's about six weeks later and I haven't heard from Warde."
Moss claims he called Hofher about five days after initially speaking with him, and his former coach told him it was his word against Andriano's and that there was nothing he could do.
