Already-thin Bruins have to plug holes caused by injuries

The first issue about UCLA’s rice-paper-thin depth has been presented to Bruin coaches, who are trying to plug the hole created by the injury to tight end Logan Paulsen.

Paulsen, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound senior, suffered a fractured right foot while making a spectacular catch on the Bruins’ first offensive series against Tennessee on Monday. He is expected to be out at least eight weeks, and may miss the remainder of the season.

It leaves the bruins crunching numbers at tight end. Ryan Moya, who plays the Bruins F back - a receiver/blocker who is moved around - and true freshman Cory Harkey will now to fill that void.

“Out of Harkey and Ryan, we got to get one guy,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. “Ryan is a little better receiver and Harkey is a little better at the point of attack. We got to figure out.”

Moya had seven receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown in the 27-24 overtime victory over Tennessee. Yet he was less of a physical presence lining up at tight end, as opposed working out of the backfield.

“Ryan had a good game, at least the pass receiving part of it,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. As for his blocking, Neuheisel said, “he needs to work on it. In his defense, he was playing the F position, our moving tight end. It’s no excuse, you have to know all your assignments. But he didn’t get much practice time at tight end going into the game.”

Giving Moya to tight end takes away from the depth at the F back spot, though Chow said running backs Trevor Theriot and Chane Moline “can both play that spot.”

Harkey’s drawback is inexperience. He made his collegiate debut Monday and is now being asked to carry a heavier load.

“My first play out there, I was walking on air,” Harkey said. “I was supposed to go block somebody down field. I didn’t get him. But I ran as hard as I could and I got somebody.

“I know there is a lot more being expected of me now. But if the coaches didn’t have confidence in me, I wouldn’t be out there on the field.”

Harkey, who is 6 feet 4, 240 pounds, was a skilled receiver at Chino Hills High School. He had 30 receptions for 473 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.

Harkey did not have a reception against Tennessee.

“I think Cory Harkey will be terrific, but he is young,” Neuheisel said. “We have to grow him up. That’s why we were lucky to have this bye week.”

More holes to fill

Kahlil Bell’s availability will not be known until next week, as the senior tailback is out with a high ankle sprain.

His absence has caused a chain reaction. Raymond Carter and Moline worked with the first team, while freshman Aundre Dean has received more time. Entering the mix Thursday was freshman Johnathan Franklin, who was working with the second team.

“Franklin was impressive today,” Neuheisel said. “We’re going to wait and see if Derrick Coleman can get back as well.”

Coleman has been out after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee three weeks ago.

Attention getters

A few Bruin players were removed from scrimmage situations Thursday, as Neuheisel was unhappy with their level of intensity.

“We got to make sure we’re into the toughness part of this game,” Neuheisel said. “It looked to me like there were a couple culprits guilty of turning it down, not really wanting the contact.”

Relentlessly optimistic

Neuheisel assured kicker Kai Forbath that he would be named the special team player of the week in the Pacific 10 Conference this week. Of course, he promised that days before the Bruins played Tennessee.

Forbath kicked two field goals, including the game-winner in overtime, in a 27-24 victory. And, yes, he was named the special team player of the week.

“Yeah, but coach also said I would kick three field goals,” Forbath joked. “So he’s not perfect.”

Odds and split ends

The Bruins will not practice Saturday and Sunday, but UCLA coaches do not have the weekend off. They will be scattered throughout the Western United States watching high school football games for recruiting purposes… . Ricky Marvray, a wide receiver from Corona Centennial High School, has orally committed to UCLA.

chris.foster@latimes.com