With the passing game showing improvement over the last few
weeks, it will receive another big boost Saturday with the return
of top receiver Craig Bragg. The senior wideout, who is leading the
team in receiving for the third straight year, hasn’t played
since the third game of the season against Washington, where he
separated his left shoulder after getting hit making a catch.
“I feel pretty good running around, and catching balls is not
going to be the big issue,” Bragg said. “The big issue
for me is the wear and tear, the tackling and landing in an awkward
position.” Senior wideout Tab Perry will likely start against
Arizona State, with Bragg coming off the bench, because coach Karl
Dorrell would prefer to bring his No. 1 receiver back slowly. Bragg
will also wear a harness to protect the injured shoulder.
“Craig looked good,” Dorrell said. “He wants to
do more than we want him to do, and we’ll let him do more
tomorrow. He’s chomping, but we’re trying to be real
cautious with him.” With Drew Olson’s favorite target
returning, the junior quarterback looks forward to the prospect of
continuing his recent success. “It’s great to have
Craig back for the reliability factor,” Olson said.
“It’s a lot of fun having him back especially with how
well the other guys have been playing.” Bragg’s return
also will restart the watch on if and when he will enter the UCLA
record books as the all-time leading receiver in Bruin history. At
169 receptions, he needs just 11 more to surpass Kevin
Jordan’s all-time record. He is currently second on the
all-time receiving yards list and needs 442 more yards to overtake
Danny Farmer. “If it happens, it happens,” Bragg said.
“I’m just happy to be out here and finish up my senior
year with my teammates. That’s a bigger deal to me. Everyone
knows I can play.”
ANOTHER HAVNER AWARD WATCH: Junior linebacker
Spencer Havner was one of 12 semifinalists selected for the Rotary
Lombardi Award, given to the top offense or defensive lineman.
Havner, who last week was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award
for linebackers, leads the Pac-10 in tackles.
INJURY REPORT: Junior tailback Maurice Drew
came up limping when he was hit in the knee with a helmet, but he
kept practicing. … Junior defensive tackle C.J. Niusulu returned
to practice. … Sophomore defensive end Justin Hickman watched
practice with crutches and his ankle wrapped.