Bruins Are Glad to Get Physical

On the first play, linebacker Spencer Havner made a teeth-rattling tackle, bringing down tailback Akil Harris.

Then tight end Mike Seidman made a dazzling catch down the sideline for a 40-yard gain and had choice words for Ricky Manning Jr. when the cornerback belted him at the end of the play.

Next came a hard hit by freshman linebacker Justin London. Finally, free safety Matt Ware picked off a pass thrown by freshman Drew Olson and returned it for a touchdown to whoops and hollers.

It was only 30 plays, but UCLA’s first live scrimmage Thursday put a charge into a team that had begun to drag after six days of training camp.

This was a lot more spirited than the “pillow fighting” Coach Bob Toledo had described a day earlier.

“That’s what it’s all about; that’s what we’ve been waiting for,” said Manning, a senior whose constant chatter during practice is making him the undisputed team leader.

Toledo told the players after practice there is urgency to their preparation, reminding them that their first opponent, Colorado State, was playing a game at that very moment.

“It’s halftime right now,” he said.

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Inevitably, full contact results in injuries, and although no Bruin has been seriously hurt, the tent that serves as a training room at Cal Lutheran was standing room only.

Defensive tackle Rodney Leisle still hasn’t practiced because of a sore knee, and Thursday his counterpart, Sean Phillips, sprained an ankle.

Safety Kevin Brant has vertigo, tight end Blane Kezirian pulled a calf muscle, receiver Craig Bragg pulled a hamstring, receiver Josh Roenicke has a separated shoulder and the scrimmage ended with offensive lineman Jason Nitz injuring a knee.

All except Bragg are reserves.

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Receivers Junior Taylor and Jon Dubravac mastered the waiting game. Maybe that’s why no Bruin is more eager to get into a football game.

Taylor, a freshman from Mesa, Ariz., was expected to contribute a year ago, but academic problems kept him from enrolling until the winter quarter.

Dubravac, a senior, did contribute in 2000, ranking third among receivers with 14 receptions, including a touchdown against Oregon State. Then back problems forced him to sit out last season.

But both players did what it took to get on the field, Taylor mending his academics and Dubravac mending his back.

Said Taylor: “I’m patient, I know I’m going to play a role this year, It just feels so good to be part of the team.”

Said Dubravac: “There have been guys with similar back injuries who had to take a medical retirement. It’s great to run around out here and just have the normal football aches and pains.”

Taylor is behind Bragg and junior Ryan Smith at split end. Dubravac is battling junior Garrett Lepisto for the second-team spot behind Tab Perry at flanker.

For now, fighting their way up the depth chart is enough for Taylor and Dubravac. Getting on the field at all was a long time coming.

“When you’ve been waiting as long as I did, it’s good just to get the rust off the gate,” Dubravac said.