Team beset by trials, tribulations

By Joshua Mason
Daily Bruin Staff

Late last week, UCLA received two bits of information that
severely crippled spirits heading into the rivalry game.

The first came late Thursday night, news that quarterback Cory
Paus had pleaded no contest in July to drunken-driving charges, and
allegations that he was sentenced to serve four days in a Los
Angeles County jail after the season.

Next came news on Friday that the NCAA would not reinstate
tailback DeShaun Foster’s eligibility after the senior was
suspended for receiving “extra benefits” from driving a
Ford Expedition leased by actor/director Eric Laneuville.

“It has been a very trying time for the coaches and for
the football team,” head coach Bob Toledo said.
“We’ve been leaned on pretty heavily.”

Paus’ brush with the law was the second alcohol-related
driving violation he has incurred within the last 15 months. The
latest decision resulted in a misdemeanor charge of driving with a
blood-alcohol level at 0.08 or above. The records show that Paus
also received a $1,332 fine, restricted driving conditions, five
years’ probation and must enroll in an 18-month
alcohol-diversion program, according to the Daily News.

“The things that I have to do for a penalty have not been
decided yet and have not been confirmed, but those things that were
alleged, are probably what’s going to happen,” Paus
said after Saturday’s loss to USC.

Paus decided before the season began not to disclose facts of
the case to the UCLA coaching staff, and until news leaked out on
Thursday, Toledo was unaware of the ruling.

“Nothing shocks me anymore when you’re dealing with
young people,” Toledo said. “I told him that
we’ll look at it Monday, talk to his attorney and go from
there. There are a lot of means of punishment, a lot of means of
discipline. He’s obviously been punished a lot right
now.”

Paus was arrested June 9 on the southbound San Diego Freeway
near Sunset Boulevard when a highway-patrol officer noticed his car
swerving. Court documents show that he was given a blood-alcohol
test, which showed he was at 0.10, exceeding the legal limit of
0.08.

Paus was first arrested on March 5, 2000 in Mono County for
driving under the influence. The charge was lessened upon
conviction to reckless driving.

Under state sentencing guidelines, a second alcohol-related
offense requires a minimum 96 hours in jail. If he violates his
five-year probation in any way, Paus will be required to spend an
additional 361 days in jail, the Daily News reported.

Paus is due to report to jail Jan. 15, at which time he also
must show proof of his enrollment in an alcohol-education program.
The terms of his probation also prohibit him from driving anywhere
other than to and from work, school and his alcohol program for 18
months.

“The fact that it was my decision not to worry about
anything that I have to take care of legally until after the
football season was something that I thought was the best way to do
it,” Paus said. “If I was going to take care of it
myself, and this was not going to happen, I would be crazy not to
take this approach.”

In Foster’s case, the NCAA ruled that he had received an
extra benefit worth more than $800, since the vehicle he had
possession of for six weeks was leased at approximately $600 per
month. According to NCAA rules, a player must be suspended a
minimum of 30 percent of the season for accepting a benefit that
exceeds $500.

It is unlikely that the university will file an appeal, though
legal action by Foster and his attorney, sports law expert Bob
Berry, is still an option.

“Obviously, I believe the penalty imposed is too great and
overly severe,” Foster said in a statement. “My family
and I will have to assess the consequences of this ruling and what
our options are for the future.”

Life without their senior tailback has been grueling for the
Bruins, who have lost twice and have managed to muster only 148
yards rushing in the two weeks without Foster.

“We can’t replace him,” receiver Craig Bragg
said. “Even when we had him, we relied on him a little too
much.”