UH's Ed Oliver has to be restrained during heated sideline conversation with Major Applewhite

ANNAPOLIS, MD - OCTOBER 20: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars looks on against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) less ANNAPOLIS, MD - OCTOBER 20: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars looks on against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by ... more Photo: Will Newton/Getty Images Photo: Will Newton/Getty Images Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close UH's Ed Oliver has to be restrained during heated sideline conversation with Major Applewhite 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Houston All-American defensive tackle Ed Oliver had to be restrained during a heated discussion with coach Major Applewhite just before halftime of Thursday's game against Tulane.

Television cameras showed Applewhite tug at Oliver's cold weather coat – which are reserved for active players only - on the sideline. Oliver, who missed a fourth straight game with a knee injury, was seen yelling at Applewhite as the team walked to the locker room.

At one point, Oliver was restrained by UH director of sports performance Rod Grace.

Oliver did not join the team on the sideline in the second half. He was unavailable for comment after the game.

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Applewhite downplayed the incident after the 48-17 win, which kept the Cougars in the chase for the American Athletic Conference West Division title.

Video of sideline incident between Ed Oliver and coach Major Applewhite pic.twitter.com/opPCeFdAlP — Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) November 16, 2018

"There's a rule for our team," Applewhite said. "Everybody follows the rule. I want everybody to follow the rule. I asked him to follow the rule. He was upset about it, and I get it. We deal with these types of situations all the time. This is something we're going to learn from and grow from."

Applewhite was informed Oliver did not rejoin the team after halftime. He had not spoken to his star player immediately after the game.

"Just talk to him about how to respond to things – respond the way our teammates did tonight," Applewhite told ESPN. "A lot of things happened, but they continued to fight and move on. If that's the worst thing that happens, we're gonna be all right."

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Applewhite continued, "We're all young. I don't blame him. I've made plenty of mistakes in my life, and we all need second chances. Ed will do great and he'll be fine."

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In the first half, Applewhite said he instructed the equipment staff to remind players that the coats were only for active players.

"I just wanted him to understand I'm not singling you out," Applewhite said. "I've asked other guys to take it off. I'm trying to be fair."

Oliver suffered the injury Oct. 20 on an illegal low block against Navy. He attempted to return two weeks ago against SMU but was ruled out after experiencing discomfort during pregame warm-ups.

A two-time All-American and Outland Trophy winner, Oliver is widely projected as a top-5 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since missing the past month, he has dropped from No. 2 to No. 7 on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board of draft prospects.

Asked if Oliver could return for the Nov. 23 game at Memphis, Applewhite said: "We're always ready for him to come back."

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