UCLA running out of options with offensive line
UCLA FOOTBALL
Injuries and suspensions leave the Bruins with an uncertain lineup against Oregon State. Freshman Mike Harris again faces challenges as the starting right tackle.
When asked if he had settled on a starting offensive line for the Oregon State game on Saturday, UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel laughed.
"We'll play with what we've got," he said. "And be excited about it."
The Bruins don't have a whole lot of options, not with injuries and two linemen suspended on Tuesday for breaking athletic department rules. Sources said they violated the drug-use policy.
For now, Mike Harris is slated to get his second consecutive start at right tackle. The promotion has been a challenge for the freshman, both in games and during the week.
"Before I was starting, I only had five or six reps at practice," he said. "Now I'm taking over 50 . . . so I've got to be on my game."
Harris and his linemates will face an Oregon State defense that attacks from a standard 4-3 alignment and ranks about the middle of the conference in most categories. Defensive end Slade Norris has 6.5 sacks.
"We're undersized compared to other offensive lines in the Pac-10," Harris said. "We have to go hard and play aggressive against them."
Wharton is a Times staff writer.
david.wharton@latimes.com
