At UCLA, There’s No Quarterback Controversy

It’s been six years since UCLA had a spring practice like the one wrapping up today--with a returning quarterback. Troy Aikman is the first Bruin to swagger into spring as the incumbent quarterback since Tom Ramsey in 1982.

Coach Terry Donahue likes it this way best. That was one key question already answered when the Bruins took to Spaulding Field a month ago. There was no hint of a quarterback controversy this spring, not with the return of the one who spent most of last season rated No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency.

Donahue said: “We have the best quarterback we could possibly hope to have. We have a great quarterback. Troy is going to have to carry a lot of the responsibility for the offensive team.”

But with so much attention focused on the return of Aikman, Donahue said, it’s easy to overlook the positions where there are no stars returning.

“People don’t want to accept the fact, but this is a rebuilding year for us,” Donahue said.

This week, 10 Bruins were drafted by the National Football League, including tailback Gaston Green, split end Willie Anderson, offensive tackle David Richards, flanker Paco Craig and fullbacks Mel Farr and James Primus.

“The fact is, we did lose a lot of people,” Aikman said. “You could see that by the draft. Gosh, I watched the draft and said, ‘No wonder we were 10-2 last year. We probably should have done better.’ ”

So when spring drills began, there were some important questions.

The most interesting move of the spring was switching senior Brendan McCracken from backup quarterback to, just possibly, an eventual starting spot as a receiver.

“He was just too good an athlete to leave him standing beside me on the sideline,” Donahue said. “We talked about either wide receiver or running back. We thought we’d try him at wide receiver, and if that didn’t work, we’d try running back. But he has done very well as a receiver. I think he’ll help us.”

The move of McCracken does not leave a void behind Aikman. Both Jimmy Bonds and Ron Carragher looked good this spring. Bobby San Jose underwent surgery last week on his right--throwing arm--elbow.

At tailback, the Bruins have Eric Ball, a senior who started three games last season, and Brian Brown, a sophomore who last season was the team’s second-leading rusher. And at fullback, Mark Estwick has moved into the starting position. Estwick, who walked on at UCLA, is a sophomore and the oldest player at that position. He is backed up by two redshirt freshmen.

There is more shuffling going on among the wide receivers.

McCracken was working out at flanker before being bothered by a pulled thigh muscle. If Mike Farr, who had surgery during the off-season to remove a cyst from his leg, is able to play in the fall, he will probably claim the starting position. If not, McCracken will battle Laurence Burkely for the spot.

At split end, Reggie Moore and David Keating are competing for the starting spot. Keating could also play flanker.

The Bruins also will be replacing three offensive linemen with younger players. At tight end, Charles Arbuckle, who started six games, was limited in spring practice because of a second knee operation. Corwin Anthony, who started four games, strengthened his position.

The biggest concern, defensively, is the secondary, which Donahue says is the youngest he has ever had. The only returning starter is cornerback Darryl Henley. Jim Wahler, the only returning starter in the line, has been moved to nose guard.

The Bruins, however, have two outstanding players returning in outside linebacker Carnell Lake and inside linebacker Chance Johnson. Johnson missed spring practice because of a knee operation.

Eric Smith, an outside linebacker who missed last season with back trouble, returns; but Billy Ray, an outside linebacker who was combing back after suffering a broken leg last season, injured his knee Tuesday and underwent surgery.

Still, there is a lot of talent among the linebackers.

“I’m anxious to see how the team develops,” Donahue said. “It’s going to be interesting. Offensively, I think there’s no question that Troy Aikman has to be the catalyst. He’ll be working with a lot of new people, so he’ll have to pull it all together.”

Bruin Notes

UCLA will hold its annual fan appreciation day today, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Spaulding Field, the practice field near Pauley Pavilion. After the controlled scrimmage that will wrap up spring practice, players will be available for photographs and autographs. The UCLA cheerleaders and the alumni band will be on hand.

Rick Neuheisel, a former Bruin quarterback and a former volunteer assistant coach, is now a full-time assistant coach, replacing Don Riley. He is in charge of the quarterbacks. Steve Axman, the offensive coordinator who last season worked with the quarterbacks, took over the guards and centers, whom Riley had coached.

Considering the number of new starters that will open for the Bruins next fall, it’s not surprising that Coach Terry Donahue asked Athletic Director Pete Dalis to negotiate a move of the San Diego State game, which had been scheduled as the third game of the season. It now will be the opener, Sept. 3. Donahue didn’t want to open Sept. 10 against Nebraska, which would already have played two games.