Coleman Can Play Instead of Watch

The defensive line, still without a sack four games into the season, figures to get a major boost this weekend with the return of Kenyon Coleman, out early in the game against Houston Sept. 19 because of a sprained knee ligament.

“It feels great,” Coleman said of being back at practice this week. “I only missed two games, but it seems like I’ve been gone forever. Watching them play was hard.”

He actually had to watch the Bruins play nearly three games. The defensive end was hurt early at Houston, came back out for the second half on crutches, then was reduced to spectator status against Washington State and Arizona.

Coleman would have missed another, but the postponement of the Miami game, originally set for Sept. 26 and now rescheduled for Dec. 5, means he will be able to play in the Orange Bowl meeting.

He rejoins the Bruins just in time to face an Oregon team averaging 50.6 points a game, though it didn’t take the Ducks to make the Bruins realize he was missed. Coleman’s return so far has been without any pain or stiffness in the right knee but he will play at least a few games wearing a brace.

“I know this is a big game for everyone,” Coleman said. “But it’s a really big game to me.

“I have something to prove, to myself and to others. I want to prove what a quality lineman I am. I haven’t had the chance to play to my potential.”

Coach Bob Toledo said, “Kenyon looks good. I don’t think I’m going to start him, but he looks like he’s ready to play.”

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Jim Johnstone, who worked with the game management staff at UCLA for 48 years, died Tuesday night after a lengthy illness. He was 74. A memorial service will be held Oct. 25 in Pauley Pavilion. In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to send donation to the Loren Abbott scholarship fund, through the UCLA recreation department.

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Next Up for UCLA

Who: Oregon

Where: Rose Bowl

When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7

Radio: AM 1150