A persistent gust swirled throughout Spaulding Field as coach Rick Neuheisel approached reporters following Tuesday’s practice.
The nearby eucalyptus trees shook as they shed leaf after leaf.
The field goal post located on the east side of the facility swayed in a way that would give any kicker nightmares.
“Which one of you brought the wind?” Neuheisel asked.
All joking aside, the less-than-pleasant conditions were a good thing for a UCLA football team that expects to play in a wet and cold environment on Saturday.
The weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of rain Saturday in Corvallis, where the Bruins hope to snap a four-game losing streak.
Still, the potential rain is the least of the UCLA’s worries.
On the forefront of everyone’s mind is the ever-intriguing quarterback situation.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince is the Bruins’ scheduled starter against the Beavers. Neuheisel, though, announced in his weekly press conference that true freshman quarterback Richard Brehaut would take meaningful snaps on Saturday.
“We will make sure it’s in the first half,” Neuheisel said. “We’re going to make sure (Brehaut) gets to play.”
Prince threw for 60 yards on 7-of-15 passing against Arizona last Saturday before being replaced by redshirt senior quarterback Kevin Craft.
“As a quarterback in this system, we have a lot on our shoulders,” Prince said. “That’s the responsibility we assume when we take the position.”
Brehaut, who usually runs the second-team offense during practice, is 9-of-15 passing in the three games in which he’s played. But unlike any of his previous three appearances, Brehaut’s time under center this Saturday will be predetermined, Neuheisel said.
Prince has started the five games he’s played in, throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions. He sat out two games because of a fractured jaw, which he suffered in the final minute of the team’s win at Tennessee on Sept. 12.
Prince said he trusts Neuheisel’s decision to play two quarterbacks.
“I’m just going to play my best when I’m in there,” Prince said. “All I know is that Coach really wants to win. If that’s the way he feels it’s going to help the team win, then I’m all for it.”
Trick or treat
Earlier this season, the Bruins stormed into Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., and stunned more than 100,000 orange-clad fans by leaving with a 19-15 victory.
Reser Stadium, the home of Oregon State football, does not have the reputation that Neyland has, but UCLA is expecting a similar environment Saturday.
Fans will be loud and fans will wear orange.
“We’re playing an orange and black team on Halloween,” sophomore safety Tony Dye said. “There will be people against us.”
The Bruins have dropped two straight road games since the thrilling win in Knoxville. Neuheisel is 2-6 overall on the road since taking over.
“We’re a real close-knit team as it is,” Dye said. “The key is sticking together.”
Hester returning?
Redshirt freshman cornerback Aaron Hester saw action with the first-team defense Tuesday, yet another signal that he may finally return this weekend.
Hester suffered a broken leg in the season-opener on Sept. 5 against San Diego State ““ a game that he started ““ and has not played since. He traveled with the team to Tucson last weekend but did not take the field.
“Aaron Hester is competing for the starting spot,” Neuheisel said. “It’s exciting for him and exciting for us to have him back.”
Hester brings a blend of speed and height to a position that has been occupied by true freshman Sheldon Price and redshirt sophomore Courtney Viney in his absence.
Price has made five starts, recording 19 tackles and breaking up two pass attempts. Viney has made 10 tackles in limited action.
“It’s a kid coming off a broken leg,” said Neuheisel of Hester. “It’s neat that he’s working that hard to get back. This is a guy that misses football and wants desperately to help the team.”