UCLA redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince suffered a fractured jaw in Saturday’s win over Tennessee and will be out three to four weeks, coach Rick Neuheisel announced in a press release today.
Prince was hit on a third-down play near the end of the game and was being examined on the sideline throughout the rest of the contest. He went back to action only to kneel on the final two plays and seal the victory.
The fracture is on the right side of the quarterback’s jaw, according to X-rays taken this morning. Prince’s jaw will be wired shut to help it heal.
“This is a tough blow for Kevin and for our football team,” Neuheisel said in the press release. “We hope Kevin recovers quickly, but we have other talented quarterbacks in our program. We have confidence in all of our quarterbacks, and we will get them ready to lead us against Kansas State this Saturday.”
The injury comes a season after UCLA saw both of its first- and second-string quarterbacks go down in 2008. Redshirt senior Kevin Craft assumed the starting position last year, but true freshman Richard Brehaut was slotted as the backup Saturday. Craft, who took a snap in UCLA’s win over San Diego State, will most likely back up Brehaut.
UCLA has scheduled a conference call with Neuheisel for 6 p.m.
Compiled by Matt Stevens, Bruin senior staff.