McCann Is Kept Busy

UCLA’s quarterback situation did not clear up Wednesday, injuries still affecting Cory Paus and backup Scott McEwan while third-stringer Ryan McCann spent significant time with the first-team offense.

For now, the panic button is safely under lock and key: Coach Bob Toledo said time was an ally heading into Saturday’s game at Washington State.

“The thing I’ve found out over the years is you’ve got time,” he said. “Guys heal every day. They get better as the weeks go on and the days go on.

“We felt it was important for Ryan to get most of [the snaps] at this point in case anything happens and we make that decision [to start him], at least he’s getting the reps.”

Toledo said he didn’t mind Paus and McEwan taking fewer snaps than normal to avoid aggravating their injuries. Paus has been slowed by a sprained right thumb. McEwan, who threw for 221 yards in relief of Paus last week against Stanford, is struggling with a sprained right ankle that makes it difficult to plant.

“They just tweak it more,” if they go full speed, Toledo said. “They tweak their thumb, they tweak their ankle and you get set back more.”

Matt Ware, a freshman cornerback who played quarterback last year at Loyola High, even took a few snaps Wednesday.

None of the quarterbacks was available after practice, UCLA sticking with its policy of not allowing quarterbacks to be interviewed after Tuesday each week.

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Then again, it might not matter who suits up at quarterback. Handing off the ball to DeShaun Foster might be all that’s required.

Washington State allowed Onterrio Smith, a backup for Oregon, to run for a school-record 285 yards, part of the Ducks’ 446-yard effort on the ground.

“I’m anxious,” said Foster, who was held to 77 yards in 21 carries against Stanford. “They’re going to have eight or nine guys in the box against me and I’ve just got to run hard.”

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Receiver Brian Poli-Dixon will miss his third consecutive game because of a separated shoulder.