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Kia gets first start at left guard

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Wharton is a Times staff writer.

The UCLA offensive line, something of a revolving door this season, has opened to let Micah Kia in as the starter at left guard against Arizona State on Friday.

It will be Kia’s first start since the California game on Oct. 25 and his first time switching inside from tackle.

Coach Rick Neuheisel said that some linemen do not like moving around in the lineup, but that the junior has shown an ability to adjust from the end to the interior.

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Darius Savage had started a left guard before suffering a season-ending injury against Washington. Scott Glicksberg, who replaced Savage in that game, is expected to spell Kia at Arizona State.

No decision has been made about whether reserve linemen Sonny Tevaga and Brandon Bennett will travel to Tempe, but Neuheisel said he no longer questions Tevaga’s commitment to football.

“Sonny’s been working hard,” he said. “I’m not disappointed in his effort.”

Uncomfortably close

The UCLA defensive linemen are well aware that Arizona State has struggled to protect quarterback Rudy Carpenter the last few seasons.

This fall, the Sun Devils rank near the bottom of the Pacific 10 Conference, giving up 28 sacks.

Watching videotape of Arizona State’s loss to Georgia earlier this season, UCLA defensive tackle Brigham Harwell saw that Carpenter becomes far less effective when forced to rush his throws.

“We have to do what they did,” Harwell said of the Georgia defense. “They made him uncomfortable.”

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But Neuheisel said he would be judicious in using blitz packages against the senior quarterback.

Meet and greet

Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker confirmed that he met with officials from Utah State last weekend and has been in contact with New Mexico State, both programs that are looking for a head coach.

“It’s all just conversation,” he said. “You talk and then see where it goes.”

Over the last few seasons, his name has come up in relation to numerous openings. Walker said he would look at any program, large or small, to see what resources the school is willing to devote to winning.

He also said that the annual coaching carousel has not distracted him from his work at UCLA, where the Bruins need to win their last two games to become bowl eligible.

“I’m not the only coach who’s ever gone through this,” he said. “I don’t really get excited about it anymore. It’s just a business.”

On the mend

Safety Rahim Moore, who hurt his ankle over the weekend, and backup center Jake Dean, recovering from illness, were in uniform for Tuesday’s practice.

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david.wharton@latimes.com

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