UCLA’s already suspect defensive line must deal with
another obstacle, as sophomore defensive end Justin Hickman will
have to miss Saturday’s game at Cal with a knee injury.
Hickman tore the cartilage in his left knee on an illegal chop
block during last Saturday’s game against Arizona. The
Wildcats were penalized 15 yards on the personal foul, but the
Bruins will suffer much more from the play. Hickman will have to
undergo arthroscopic surgery and according to coach Karl Dorrell,
will be out at least two to three weeks. Dorrell said he hopes
Hickman will return by Oct. 30, when UCLA hosts Stanford at home.
“(Hickman) was playing the most consistently of the linemen,
so we’re going to miss that consistency,” Dorrell said.
In his place, heralded freshman defensive end Brigham Harwell will
receive the start with freshman defensive end Bruce Davis also
expecting more playing time. “I’m excited about Harwell
and Davis,” Dorrell said. “I feel good about what
they’re going to do for our defense.” Both Harwell and
Davis have played sparingly thus far, but will likely have a few
games to prove themselves.
LOMBARD GONE FOR YEAR?: Another freshman
defensive lineman, Kenneth Lombard, may be out for the remainder of
the year due to a shoulder injury. Lombard, who hasn’t played
since the first quarter of the Bruins’ third game of the year
against Washington, will not likely lose a year of eligibility.
Since he has played less than three games this year, UCLA can
petition the Pac-10 for a fifth year of eligibility due to medical
hardship. “They did an arthrogram on it, and it showed there
is some damage that needs to be healed,” Dorrell said.
“Right now there’s a strong chance he might not play
the rest of the year.”
BUTKUS AWARD WATCH: UCLA junior Spencer Havner
was one of 12 linebackers announced as a semifinalist for this
year’s Butkus Award, given to college football’s best
linebacker. The 12 semifinalists were narrowed down from a
preseason watch list of 68. Havner leads the nation in both total
tackles with 71 and tackles per game at 14.2. Three finalists will
be announced on Thursday, Nov. 11.
EXTRA POINTS: Middle linebacker Justin London
will start for the first time this season after being hobbled by an
ankle injury through the first five games. However, Dorrell
doesn’t expect the junior to play more than half the game.
… The Cal game will kickoff at 4 p.m. and will be televised
nationally on TBS.