The competition to be UCLA’s starting quarterback Saturday against Texas is still wide open, according to coach Rick Neuheisel.
Neuheisel maintains that both Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut will be “ready” but doesn’t want to say too much and doesn’t feel the need to name a starter before the game. He didn’t commit to playing both as he did before the season opener at Houston.
“We’ve got to do what’s best for the football team and sometimes I think that’s better left unsaid,” he said after Tuesday’s practice.
Brehaut got the first snap with the first team Tuesday with both quarterbacks available ““ something that hasn’t happened since the team opened camp when but Neuheisel said that was simply because he’s had the majority of the play in the first two weeks.
Brehaut didn’t put much stock into the switch.
“I’ve been the starter this last week so I’m going to take that first snap but it’s still going to be a competition and we were switching all day,” Brehaut said.
If Prince gets into Saturday’s game, it would be his first game action since the second quarter of the Houston game that he left with a mild concussion and sprained shoulder.
Although he was technically available for Saturday’s 27-17 win over San Jose State, he wasn’t 100 percent. Neuheisel said Tuesday that he’s closer to 100 percent and would be there by Saturday.
“I’m going to trust my instincts as to what we should do during the course of a game but both will prepare as if they’re both going to play and both will be ready to play,” Neuheisel said.
Injury notes
Kicker Kip Smith did not participate in Tuesday’s practice because of a sore hip flexor. Safety Tony Dye played in limited contact because of “general soreness.”