Football Notebook

Quarterback dance

Though everybody wants an update on the UCLA quarterback
situation, not much has changed from the spring.

According to head coach Bob Toledo, both Cory Paus and Ryan
McCann have an equal shot at the position. Paus was the starter
last year until he got injured, at which point McCann stepped in,
with mixed results.

Due to surgery on a broken clavicle, Paus was not allowed to
participate in spring contact drills. But though McCann was the
starter at the end of the season, Paus’s experience grants
him a better knowledge of the Bruins’ complicated
offense.

Paus and McCann, both redshirt sophomores, were in Westwood over
the summer working out individually in 7-on-7 drills. Paus’s
injury was suffered on his non-throwing shoulder, and he is now
ready for full-contact fall practice. He and McCann will receive 80
percent of the snaps, with junior Scott McEwan getting the
remaining 20 percent. Last year’s opening day starter, Drew
Bennett, has been moved to wide receiver.

Be wary of the backfield

Every year it seems something new hits the Bruins’
defensive backfield. Last year its two top corners, Jason Bell and
Marques Anderson, were lost for the season to injury and
suspension, respectively. With the pair back this year, it seemed
that the secondary would finally have the depth it was missing the
last two years.

But before the first fall practice even began, possible starters
Lovell Houston and Julius Williams left Westwood. Houston,
originally from Denver, was projected as the starting free safety
after spring practice, but then he had major surgery on his
shoulder that would have caused him to at least miss the current
season.

Citing homesickness and a desire to be near his family while
recovering, Houston has decided to return to Colorado permanently.
The safety will likely join his younger brother, star running back
Marcus, at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Williams has been dismissed from school for academic reasons,
although he may apply for readmittance in a year.

That leaves the current starting secondary as Ricky Manning and
Jason Bell at the corners with Marques Anderson at strong safety.
Highly-touted freshman Ben Emmanuel and senior Jason Zdenek are the
likely candidates for the starting free safety spot.

When the going gets tough

According to Sports Illustrated, UCLA has the second toughest
schedule in the nation. The Bruins’ first three games are
against No. 3 Alabama, No. 4 Michigan and WAC champion Fresno
State. Other opponents ranked in the preseason poll are Pac-10 foes
Washington at No. 14 and USC at No. 16. UCLA is ranked No. 28.

“The schedule has worked both ways for us,” Toledo
said. “There were a lot of kids here working out this summer,
including both quarterbacks.”

On the flip side, Toledo added: “We could also be a really
improved football team, but our record might not reflect that
because of the level of competition.”

Eight of this year’s opponents went to bowls last year,
with Alabama, Michigan and Stanford playing in Alliance Bowls. The
season opener is Sept. 2 against the Crimson Tide at 12:30 p.m. in
the Rose Bowl.

Linebacker transactions

Linebacker Asi Faoa will miss one game due to suspension this
season. Faoa was involved in an altercation with another student on
April 30, which resulted in the suspension. He was also charged on
counts of assault and mayhem. His preliminary hearing is scheduled
for Sept. 18, though any possible trial would not be held until
after the football season.

According to team rules, inclusion in a police report results in
an automatic one-game suspension. Toledo has not commented on what
action the team might take pending should Faoa be found guilty.

In other linebacker news, Billy Pieper and Santi Hall are also
gone from last year’s squad. Pieper injured his back and was
given a medical redshirt for the season. Hall was originally
suspended one game for violating team policy, but Saturday
afternoon he informed Toledo that he would be quitting the team and
leaving school for personal reasons.

Also, incoming freshman linebacker Brandon Chillar might have an
immediate chance to play because of unexpected roster moves.

Finding spots

One positive for the football team from last year’s
disabled parking placard scandal is that many freshman, taking the
place of the suspended veterans, gained valuable playing time,
including emerging stars Ricky Manning and linebacker Marcus
Reese.

“We’re a young team, but we’re an experienced
team,” Toledo said. “Unlike last year, when we were
young and inexperienced.”

This year’s team has only 11 scholarship seniors, half of
whom will probably start.

Notes compiled by Greg Lewis, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.