Quarterback Kevin Prince went through his second straight day of practice Thursday but apparently didn’t do enough to win the starting job back from Richard Brehaut.
Coach Rick Neuheisel said after practice that Brehaut would “probably” get the starting nod in Saturday’s home opener against San Jose State.
“I’m not going to be held down to that,” Neuheisel said.
Neuheisel maintained that Prince would be available to use in relief just as Brehaut was last week in the loss to Houston. As to when Prince will get into the game, that’s anyone’s guess.
“I really didn’t have a rotation in mind for the first game,” Neuheisel said. “I was going to make sure that both played but I didn’t have an idea as to how it was going to go because I couldn’t predict the game and I won’t do that in this instance either.”
On second thought
After reviewing the film of Wednesday’s practice, Neuheisel thinks he might have overreacted to the miscues that had everybody talking.
“As I looked at film, I might have been the one that was most frustrated rather than them,” he said. “I was frustrated with some off-sides penalties at the end. The team was actually playing very well.”
Locke drops out of kicking competition
The UCLA kicking situation continues to evolve. Or devolve. It appears that redshirt freshman Kip Smith, who missed a field goal and an extra point against Houston is Neuheisel’s only chance. Redshirt freshman Joe Roberts ““ the only other kicker on the roster ““ has had to miss time with a leg injury.
Jeff Locke, the punting and kickoff specialist, is no longer an option, according to Neuheisel.
“We worked Jeff out and it wasn’t good,” said Neuheisel, referring to a trial period for Locke early in fall camp. “You risk losing other portions of what is good, in terms of kickoffs and punts.”
“Kip has worked hard and looked good,” he added. “I have full confidence that Kip can find it.”