Kahlil Bell's injury may open door for UCLA freshmen
UCLA FOOTBALL
Aundre Dean and Johnathan Franklin, a pair of prized running back recruits, may get some opportunities Saturday at BYU because Bell has a sprained ankle.
There seems only a slim chance that tailback Kahlil Bell will be ready to play against Brigham Young on Saturday. And, even if he gives it a go, there are no guarantees how his sprained left ankle will hold up.
That could put freshmen Aundre Dean and Johnathan Franklin into the mix. They have been taking reps with the second-team offense and Franklin has been particularly impressive, breaking off a long touchdown run during an 11-on-11 scrimmage.
"We certainly believed in them when we recruited them and we still do," Coach Rick Neuheisel said. As to the chances of Dean and Franklin playing, Neuheisel said, "They merited enough confidence with what they've done so far that it's not just a pipe dream."
Chane Moline and Raymond Carter are expected to get the bulk of the work if Bell is out. Both struggled against Tennessee, running behind an offensive line that opened few holes. Moline gained five yards in six carries and Carter 14 yards in 15 carries.
The key for Dean and Franklin will be whether they can offer pass protection and pick up blitzes. "I am comfortable with their ability to do that, but the proof is in pudding," Neuheisel said.
Bell was in pads Tuesday, but did little. If he does not practice today he probably will be ruled out for the game.
"I trust him that he could go in there and play, but it's a long season and we're only at game two," Neuheisel said. "We don't want to hamper him."
Chow time
UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow this weekend returns to BYU, where he spent 27 years as an assistant, leaving after the 1999 season.
He has been asked several times about going back to Provo, Utah, and his answer is always the same: "There is nothing to it. It has been such a long time and there's a lot of water under the bridge. It's just a game we've got to win."
This won't be the first time he's been back. In 2004, he made the trip as USC's offensive coordinator and won, 42-10. Of course, he was a little better quipped for that game, with Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush at his disposal.
chris.foster@latimes.com
