Down they go
Nine Bruins spent the week recovering from injuries in hopes of
playing against Washington State in Pullman.
Safety Jason Stephens is out with turf toe while tight end Blane
Kezirian and wideout Cody Joyce are sidelined with concussions.
Wide receivers Brian Poli-Dixon and Ryan Smith and safety
Marques Anderson have shoulder injuries. Anderson should play and
Poli-Dixon is listed as questionable. Smith has a slight shoulder
separation and is probable for the WSU game.
Quarterbacks Cory Paus (thumb) and Scott McEwan (ankle) are
banged up, and McEwan should get the start on Saturday.
Lineman Shane Lehman is coming off an ankle sprain while lineman
Troy Danoff suffered one against Stanford. Danoff also separated
his shoulder in the first half and is unlikely to play this
weekend.
Take your pick
Any of the three UCLA quarterbacks could see action this weekend
against WSU.
Cory Paus, the starter to date, has a thumb injury but has not
been ruled out. Backup Scott McEwan is recovering from a sprained
ankle and could also see time. Ryan McCann, who played in four
games last year, could also get the call.
Head coach Bob Toledo isn’t sure: “I can’t
tell you who’s going to play because I really don’t
know.”
Rain, rain, come and stay
The team has yet to play in poor weather conditions, which is a
great possibility in rainy Pullman this weekend. Some of the
players welcome the rain.
“As a defensive player I like playing ball in the
rain,” linebacker Ryan Nece said.
However, he also cited the difficult footing and the problems
that can cause for a quick defense like the Bruins’.
Robert and Ed
Senior linebacker Robert Thomas was named a semi-finalist for
the Lombardi Award earlier this week.
The award is given to the lineman or linebacker who best
exemplifies discipline as associated with legendary Green Bay
Packers coach Vince Lombardi.
In a more community-oriented honor, fullback Ed
Ieremia-Stansbury was named honorary captain for this
weekend’s game.
Note compiled by Adam Karon, Daily Bruin Staff.