UCLA cornerback Aaron Hester out with ankle injury
By Sara Salam
Sept. 7, 2009 10:52 p.m.
Despite the promising performance from the UCLA football team this past Saturday, the Bruins did not leave the field unscathed.
In the second quarter, redshirt freshman cornerback Aaron Hester suffered a fractured right fibula and did not return to the game.
“I made a break and I just heard the pop then,” Hester said.
Coach Rick Neuheisel announced Monday that Hester is expected to be out four to six weeks.
After the game, Hester walked out of the east tunnel to the Bruin sideline with a pair of crutches. He spoke confidently to reporters and adamantly asserted he would resume play as soon as possible.
“I felt that I was playing good, I was in my zone,” Hester said. “I’m just ready to play, but I’ll be back out there.”
Hester earned the starting job after a stiff competition with redshirt sophomore Courtney Viney.
UCLA had other issues to cope with throughout the game, especially on the defensive side of the ball in the first quarter.
During San Diego State’s first possession, it took the Aztecs a mere 5:32 to cross UCLA’s goal line.
On their second possession, the Aztecs blazed their path to the end zone in just three plays, ending with a 78-yard touchdown pass.
“We were just shooting ourselves in the foot with the penalties and missing signs,” junior defensive tackle Brian Price said.
After allowing the Aztecs to make plays in the first quarter, the UCLA defense was able to prevent San Diego State from finding scoring opportunities for the remainder of the game.
The Bruins held the Aztec rushers to a total of just 39 yards.
“When you’re kind of an experienced defense, you get so excited to go out there you end up trying to make too many plays too early,” Neuheisel said. “And I think that was the case.”
About a minute after SDSU scored its second touchdown, senior Terrence Austin returned a 47-yard Aztec punt 65 yards. The very next play, the Bruins scored a touchdown of their own.
With 37 seconds left in the third quarter, senior defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski blocked an Aztec field goal attempt which senior cornerback Alterraun Verner returned 70 yards for a touchdown for the Bruins.
“There wasn’t even time to panic, “¦” Neuheisel said, “and I think that was significant when you’re dealing with a young, maybe fragile team.”
WANT SOME MOORE: Sophomore safety Rahim Moore had three interceptions on the night, setting a career high and tying a school record. He was named the Walter Camp Foundation Defensive Player of Week.
QUARTERBACKS IN ACTION: Redshirt senior Kevin Craft took one snap after Prince was shaken up following a sack in the third quarter. Craft handed the ball off to Coleman for a gain of three yards.
True freshman Richard Brehaut also saw some playing time in the fourth quarter. He went 2 for 2 for 39 yards which included a 30-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Nelson Rosario.
“We want there to be competition between those two guys,” Neuheisel said. “It will keep them razor sharp when they’re out there and trying to compete against the other one.”
KAI’S KICK: Redshirt junior place-kicker Kai Forbath booted his seventh 50-plus yard field goal of his career, setting a new UCLA record.
FIRE’S EFFECTS: The air was breathable Saturday afternoon in Pasadena. The half-mast American flag on the east side of the Rose Bowl and a subtle scarlet haze lurking beyond the surrounding hills were the only reminders of the ongoing fires in the Angeles National Forest.
