Cowan sustains knee injury

Senior wide receiver Joe Cowan, who is expected to be one of the
offensive leaders of the UCLA football team this year, sustained an
injury to his PCL ligament in his right knee on Tuesday that will
hold him out of practice for at least a few weeks, coach Karl
Dorrell said on Wednesday. Dorrell defined the injury as
“possibly ligament damage.” “We’re not
certain whether he will have surgery,” Dorrell said.
“You don’t always have to have surgery (with a PCL
injury).” Cowan injured his knee on a fade route. After
catching the ball, he fell and his knee hit the ground hard.
Despite the fact that the Bruins are playing on the intramural
field, which is not designed for football practice, Cowan said it
had nothing to do with field conditions. “It probably would
have happened anywhere,” Cowan said. “It’s a
pretty low pain level. I feel like I could play right now, but
it’s really not my decision.” Cowan was expected to
start the season alongside junior Marcus Everett as the
team’s two starting wide receivers, but this injury may send
his timetable for return past the season opener on Sept. 2 against
Utah.

THE OLD MEN OF THE O-LINE: An 18-year-old
sophomore, offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga was the self-described
“young-bug” on last year’s offensive line that
was anchored by seniors Robert Cleary, Ed Blanton and Mike
McCloskey. Just a year later, Tevaga is not only a veteran, but
clearly the star of the Bruins’ front line. That is why, in
this year’s fall practice, Tevaga is making sure all his
drills and techniques are perfect. “I’m the
leader,” Tevaga said. “I remember when I was a
freshman, I would watch the seniors every play to see how they
worked. “I want the young guys to do the same with me.”
Tevaga and senior center Robert Chai are the only returning
offensive linemen who have had extensive game experience with the
Bruins. Thus, Dorrell is making it an emphasis that with a new
offensive line coach and new offensive coordinator, the linemen are
getting all the reps they possibly can. “I want Chai and
Tevaga to take a leadership role,” Dorrell said. “A lot
of the guys weren’t able to participate in spring practice,
and it’s important they accomplish as much as they can in
these three weeks.” Along with Chai and Tevaga, the other
projected starters on the offensive line are freshman tackle Alexis
Lanis, junior guard Chris Joseph and junior tackle Noah
Sutherland.

NOTES: Incoming freshman offensive lineman Sean
Sheller hurt his knee toward the end of practice on Wednesday and
will be evaluated. Junior Brandon Breazell sustained “a
little bit of a hip flexor” according to Dorrell, but went on
to play the rest of the practice. Everett will not practice again
until Sunday due to the death of his grandfather. He will not be
back at UCLA until Saturday.