As the Bruins prepare for their upcoming Las Vegas Bowl game
against Wyoming, they will have to do without the help of
linebacker Spencer Havner. The junior linebacker underwent
arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus in his right
knee. Redshirt senior Ben Lorier will serve as Havner’s
replacement, with freshman Fred Holmes backing him up.
“You’re always going to miss your lead tackler,”
UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. “But the time that Spencer got
hurt, Ben Lorier played, and played well. He’s got six or
seven practices to get ready to for the game and we think he will
do a good job for us.” Havner was the leading tackler in the
Pac-10 conference this season and was also named a second-team
All-American. He finished the regular season second in the nation
in solo tackles with 7.64 a game and tied for seventh in total
tackles, averaging 11.35 per game. But despite the big shoes he
must fill, Lorier says he’s ready to step in.
“I’m excited, I got to start three games early in the
season and now I get to start again,” Lorier said. “I
have really fond memories of that bowl game last time and hopefully
it should be fun again.”
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: Senior receivers Tab
Perry, Craig Bragg and running back Manuel White were invited to
the East-West Shrine Senior game, to be held on Jan. 15 in San
Francisco. Punter Chris Kluwe was invited to the Villages Gridiron
Classic in Orlando.
ODDS AND ENDS: Fullback Pat Norton did not
practice Saturday and was in a walking boot. Because of finals this
week, the team will only practice today and Tuesday and will not
practice again until Saturday.