Availability of UCLA’s Kevin Prince is in question

UCLA heads into Week 2 in a familiar position, unsure whether quarterback Kevin Prince will be available.

Prince left because of a minor concussion in the Bruins’ 38-34 loss to Houston on Saturday. But the bigger concern is the sprained right shoulder he suffered when Houston defensive back D.J. Hayden flipped him at the end of a run.

Coach Rick Neuheisel was confident the concussion wouldn’t prevent Prince from playing.

“There were no lingering effects this morning and we’ll go through the protocol,” he said, but the shoulder is another matter.

“We have to see how much he gets to practice,” Neuheisel said. How much would be enough practice, Neuheisel wasn’t sure.

“We’ll talk on Tuesday,” he said. “I have to think about that before I answer.”

Richard Brehaut, who was already scheduled to play against Houston, threw for 264 yards and gained another 87 rushing. Brehaut threw two passes for touchdowns and ran for another score.

Neuheisel was Brehaut’s decision-making was “good a majority of the time. But there are still things we need to do better.”

Prince completed all three of his passes for 58 yards before being injured.

First-year freshman Brett Hundley is expected to get more time in practice.

“We’re going to get him ready to go, but we have to wait to see how he does,” Neuheisel said.

Neuheisel said Hundley would be the No. 2 quarterback if Prince could not play.

Morning after drill

UCLA lost six of its last seven games last season, followed by massive coaching staff changes. The Bruins’ first step was a pratfall in 2011.

“No one is panicking,” linebacker Sean Westgate said. “The way we played was extremely uncharacteristic of our defense. It was uncharacteristic of the entire team.”

Said tight end Joseph Fauria: “This locker room is a lot different than it was last year. There is a new breed of Bruins here.”

Neuheisel said, “We still have high hopes. The high hopes haven’t dissipated.”

To keep the hopes high, Neuheisel said, “I’ve got to get them not to listen to [the media] and all the things about doom.”

Neuheisel also thought that the Bruins could play more disciplined, particularly on defense.

“It was the first game and guys wanted to make plays, and wanted to make somebody else’s play,” Neuheisel said. “They were not staying in their areas.”

Houston rolled up 469 total yards.

Spartan life

The Bruins next play San Jose State, which almost certainly offers the opportunity to correct things.

It is the first game between the Spartans and the Bruins. UCLA has a 32-2-1 record against programs from California state universities.

“It’s just the next one on the schedule,” Neuheisel said. “I’m excited to have another chance to play. It makes no difference who we play.”

Maybe it does.

San Jose won one game last season and opened 2011 with a 57-3 loss to Stanford on Saturday.

Yards stale

UCLA had 554 total yards Saturday. The last time the Bruins had more than 500 yards and lost was Nov. 4, 2006, when they had 516 yards in a 38-24 loss to California.

“I’m not numbers guy,” offensive coordinator Mike Johnson said. “I’m a guy who is into victories.”

Love out

Linebacker Glenn Love will be out at least two weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Jordan Zumwalt, who replaced Love against Houston, is expected to start.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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