Already-thin Bruins have to plug holes caused by injuries

Paulsen, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound senior, suffered a fractured right foot while making a spectacular catch on the Bruins' first offensive series against Tennessee on Monday. He is expected to be out at least eight weeks, and may miss the remainder of the season.

It leaves the bruins crunching numbers at tight end. Ryan Moya, who plays the Bruins F back - a receiver/blocker who is moved around - and true freshman Cory Harkey will now to fill that void.

"Out of Harkey and Ryan, we got to get one guy," offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. "Ryan is a little better receiver and Harkey is a little better at the point of attack. We got to figure out."

Moya had seven receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown in the 27-24 overtime victory over Tennessee. Yet he was less of a physical presence lining up at tight end, as opposed working out of the backfield.

"Ryan had a good game, at least the pass receiving part of it," Coach Rick Neuheisel said. As for his blocking, Neuheisel said, "he needs to work on it. In his defense, he was playing the F position, our moving tight end. It's no excuse, you have to know all your assignments. But he didn't get much practice time at tight end going into the game."

Giving Moya to tight end takes away from the depth at the F back spot, though Chow said running backs Trevor Theriot and Chane Moline "can both play that spot."

Harkey's drawback is inexperience. He made his collegiate debut Monday and is now being asked to carry a heavier load.

"My first play out there, I was walking on air," Harkey said. "I was supposed to go block somebody down field. I didn't get him. But I ran as hard as I could and I got somebody.

"I know there is a lot more being expected of me now. But if the coaches didn't have confidence in me, I wouldn't be out there on the field."

Harkey, who is 6 feet 4, 240 pounds, was a skilled receiver at Chino Hills High School. He had 30 receptions for 473 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.

Harkey did not have a reception against Tennessee.

"I think Cory Harkey will be terrific, but he is young," Neuheisel said. "We have to grow him up. That's why we were lucky to have this bye week."

More holes to fill