Rookie backs aren't carrying a load

A spate of injuries and lost games have forced the UCLA football team to rely on freshmen this season -- 22 of them have played in nine games -- but the trend has not extended to running backs.

Starting tailback Kahlil Bell, a senior, has gotten the majority of the workload with backup Derrick Coleman, a freshman, stepping in for a few series each game. After that, it has been slim pickings.

"There just aren't a lot of carries right now," Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

Freshman Raymond Carter has 19 rushes for 26 yards. Another freshman, Aundre Dean, has run twice for one yard.

Neuheisel blamed a ground game that has failed to generate any consistency, forcing the offense to pass, especially in the second half with the opponent in the lead.

The Bruins are rushing about 30 times a game. By comparison, Oregon leads the Pacific 10 Conference in rushing with an average of 46 running plays.

"If you had 40 carries, you could go with three backs," Neuheisel said. "We haven't had the luxury of having those kinds of carries."

This week might bring some relief, as UCLA faces a Washington team that has surrendered a whopping 236 rushing yards per game.

Wharton is a Times staff writer.

david.wharton@latimes.com