Fien Audible, in Hot Water : College football: UCLA quarterback is reprimanded by Donahue for his comments after loss.

It is back to school for UCLA students this week and, for junior quarterback Ryan Fien, that meant reporting immediately to Coach Terry Donahue’s office.

On Monday, Donahue reprimanded Fien for statements he made to reporters after Saturday’s 24-15 loss to Washington State at Pullman, Wash.

After the defeat, in which Fien was replaced by freshman Cade McNown, Fien said in part, “Put me No. 1 or put me No. 2. I finally started to get some momentum and, the next thing I know, I’m out.”

Donahue said the comments violated team policy and that Fien should have come first to him instead of going public.

“First of all, young people, they sometimes do get upset,” Donahue said at his weekly news conference. “Just like adults, they sometimes use bad judgment. Ryan used very, very bad judgment in expressing his discontent, in expressing his frustration in the media.”

Donahue said the comments “point to a lack of maturity. He should not have done that. And particularly should not have done that when he didn’t really have his facts.”

Donahue said Fien complained that the Bruins did not throw enough on first down when he was in the game.

“He threw 13 passes in the game, eight of which were on first or second down,” Donahue said. “I think oftentimes that perception, frustration and accuracy don’t always have a happy marriage.”

Donahue and Fien met before Monday’s practice. Fien said Donahue told him the comments were out of line. Fien apologized, explaining they were made in the heat of defeat.

“Yeah, I was out of line,” Fien said after practice. “Some of the comments I should not have said. Some I should have kept to myself and some comments were exaggerated on my part.”

Donahue said he didn’t think Fien’s comments were malicious.

“I don’t think it’s the end of the world,” Donahue said. “It’s a serious matter. I take it very seriously. At the same time, athletes have done far worse things than that. But I’m not taking it lightly.”

So, three weeks after beating Miami and two weeks removed from the ranks of the undefeated, UCLA finds itself 0-2 in the Pacific-10 Conference and not knowing who to play at quarterback.

Donahue said he had not decided who would start next week’s game against Fresno State but stressed that quarterback isn’t the team’s only problem.

“I’m trying to make a point to you all,” Donahue said. “I’m not sure I’ve decided who’s the starting left guard, or the starting right corner.”

Fien said Donahue had told him, “Go out and practice hard and let’s see what happens.”

Donahue defended his decision to remove Fien after the second series in the second half against the Cougars.

Fien thought, and still does, that he was moving the team effectively. On the first drive, tailback Karim Abdul-Jabbar fumbled the ball through the end zone, giving Washington State the ball at its own one.

On the second, receiver Kevin Jordan dropped a pass in the end zone.

Still, Donahue made the move to the freshman McNown, who had replaced the injured Fien a week earlier against Oregon.

Donahue said he may play both quarterbacks again this week.

“We may be in that mode if it’s called for,” he said. “And it might be called for. I thought Saturday it definitely was. That was my opinion. I make those decisions. I thought Saturday it was definitely called for. If that upset somebody, that’s too bad.”

Donahue is not sure what to make of his team. It certainly does not now resemble the one that opened with victories over Miami and Brigham Young.

Some of the things his Bruins are doing Donahue could only describe as “bizarre.”

UCLA has been outscored by opponents in the first half, 48-19, but has outscored its opponents in the third quarter, 53-0.

“Why are we better in the second half?” Donahue asked. “Is it because we’re playing better or is it because the other team isn’t playing as well, it got bored? You’ve got to ask yourself that question.”

Donahue said the key was not to panic, “to go on a purge,” but he does not deny his concern.

“There are a thousand questions running through your mind when you’re failing,” he said.