Bruin Announcer Is Up on Smith Arm Strength

Chris Roberts, UCLA’s play-by-play announcer, is familiar calling the name of Jonathan Smith. The Oregon State quarterback passed for 935 yards against the Bruins the last three years. Roberts has written Smith’s name many times as well--on a lineup card. Smith played baseball at Glendora High, where Roberts has been the junior varsity coach for six years.

“He was a pretty good pitcher, he had decent heat,” Roberts said. “He also played third base and had some power.”

Smith was not offered a Division I football scholarship and walked on at Oregon State. He became the starter midway through his freshman year.

“He’s a kid I bring up every year when I’m talking to the baseball team,” Roberts said. “He’s living proof that perseverance and believing in yourself produces results.”

Smith, a senior who will graduate in December, will take time to say hello to his former coach Saturday when the Bruins visit Corvallis.

“Chris knows baseball,” Smith said. “He puts a lot of time into the Glendora program.”

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The Mannings have a distinctive trait--big heads. Not as in overconfident. As in large domes. Oregon State tackle Eric Manning and UCLA cornerback Ricky Manning are cousins. Eric, a 6-foot-1, 295-pound junior from Dominguez Compton, is the only returning starter on the Beaver defensive line. Ricky grew up in Fresno and knows the Southern California branch of his family through Eric’s father, Otis, who owns a trucking company.

“We’re all pretty big,” Eric told the Portland Oregonian. “My son has big hands. It runs in the family. They say, big hands, big head. I’ve got a big head too.” Ricky, however, is only 5-9.

“[But] he’s got a big head,” Eric said.

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Senior receiver Cody Joyce will not accompany the team to Oregon State because he is recovering from a concussion. Cornerback Joe Hunter will replace him on punt coverage. ... As a part of increased airport security, the entire UCLA traveling party must bus to and from LAX together.