UCLA

Coach Bob Toledo said Tuesday he is not expecting to have starting fullback Craig Walendy available for the season opener, but remains hopeful that a key reserve defensive lineman, Ken Kocher, will be back for the Sept. 12 game against Texas.

Despite Walendy’s assurances that he is in game shape and ready to go even without having taken part in a single practice, the result of an infection, Toledo showed no sign of holding the same opinion. Instead, the coach prepares to open with two new starting running backs behind Cade McNown, aware that Walendy has about run out of time to work himself to 100%.

“We’re almost past that point already,” Toledo said. “I don’t know how he can. It’s hard. He’s missed all of the double sessions.”

Kocher, meanwhile, has missed the last six days because of a right ankle that is sprained and bruised. The crutches he once called simply a precaution against further injury have been replaced by a walking boot, but Toledo is still hoping to have his promising true freshman back for the Longhorns.

The only other injury concern among starters or second stringers is inside linebacker Ramogi Huma, bothered by a strained groin. That could force Ryan Nece, the son of Ronnie Lott who is making the transition from strong safety so well that Toledo calls him the most improved player on the Bruin defense, into the opening lineup.

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Third-string center Tony Ippolito, who fractured his right ankle last week, underwent surgery Monday. He is expected to miss another five to seven weeks. . . . Fred Andrews, a 1952 letterman and more recently a major UCLA donor, died Saturday in Bakersfield of an apparent heart attack. Services are Thursday at 1:30 at Forest Lawn in Glendale.