Bruins' leading rusher Kahlil Bell stays on course for unexpected return

But Bell, who has returned faster than anticipated from surgery on his right knee, bounced up immediately and laughed the moment off later.

"It was just a fall, no biggie," Bell said. "It was going to happen some day, might as well happen now. It will be a little different when you get hit down when we're in pads. I just rolled up on this one."

Still, it was another indication that Bell was true to his word when he kept saying he would be ready by training camp. Most doubted that after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Washington State on Oct. 27 and expectations were for him to be out 12 months.

But eight months after his surgery, Bell was cleared to resume full practices, giving the Bruins their leading rusher from last season.

"The mind can accomplish many things," said Bell, who gained 795 yards and scored five touchdowns in 2007. "There were days when I woke up and the knee was sorer than other days. I knew the sun would rise the next day and, as bad as any day was, I could get through it. That was my focus."

Not kicking himself

When last seen in a game, kicker Kai Forbath set to put a happy finish on the Bruins' unhappy 2007 season. But Forbath's last-season 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked, allowing Brigham Young University to walk away with a 17-16 Las Vegas Bowl victory.

"I put it out of my mind," said Forbath, now a sophomore. "Sometimes I'll be somewhere and someone might ask me what happened. But I don't dwell on it at home. Some kickers might, but I like to forget about those things."

Forbath made 25 of 30 field goals last season. That included five from 50 yards or more.

chris.foster@latimes.com