A Slight Change of Plans

New game, new month, new thinking.

The schedule for the original trip to Miami in September had the Bruins leaving on a Thursday, hoping to better adjust to the time change and the early kickoff. But they will be leaving today, Friday, for Saturday’s makeup game, suddenly not so concerned about the wake-up calls. Maybe the emotions at the Orange Bowl will take care of that.

In September, when UCLA learned the game had been postponed by Hurricane Georges just as the team was about to leave campus, kickoff was at 9 a.m. Los Angeles time. In December, it’s 11 a.m., 90 minutes earlier than any other start this season, but at least a partial victory for school officials, who did not want to send the players in on a Thursday again.

“We’d rather have them being in school, getting ready for finals,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “But I think with the later start time, we’ll be OK.”

Even though it’s only two hours’ difference?

“I don’t think it’s that big of a problem,” he said. “I think the 80-degree heat and humidity might be a bigger problem.”

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Reinforcing Toledo’s belief that he has two fullbacks capable of starting, the Bruins will go back to Durell Price on Saturday. Craig Walendy was in the opening lineup for the USC game. In both scenarios, they split time.

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UCLA fans unsure whether to stay home Saturday and watch the football team on TV or attend the Wooden Classic at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim to watch the basketball team have a solution. A giant tent will be set up in Lot 3. There will be 10 televisions, full concession service and the Bruin band and cheerleaders. It is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m., about 30 minutes before kickoff in Miami. The football game will also be shown on the scoreboard inside the Pond.

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Toledo held a 30-minute meeting with some players after practice Thursday, unusually long, to go over details before the team departs today. Switching to black uniforms did not come up.

“No,” Toledo said, “that’s not our school colors.”