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Niusulu Is Suspended Again

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Times Staff Writer

Senior tackle C.J. Niusulu, UCLA’s most experienced defensive lineman, was suspended indefinitely by Coach Karl Dorrell on Tuesday for violation of athletic department policy.

Niusulu, who sat out last season’s game against San Diego State for the same violation, may have played his last game as a Bruin.

“I don’t know at this point and time whether I’m going to give him the opportunity to come back or not,” Dorrell said. “This happened to him before and it’s to the point where we have to make a decision about what we should do with our program and moving forward from this point on.”

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Dorrell said that the suspension was a program issue not connected to Niusulu’s absence from Monday’s practice, which he missed because of a class conflict.

Although Niusulu started seven games last season and finished with 24 tackles, second among linemen, he was not working with the first team in the spring.

With sophomore Brigham Harwell switched from end to tackle and junior tackle Kevin Brown moved over to nose guard, Nuisulu was no longer considered a starter.

‘Obviously you hate to lose a guy like him, from the experience standpoint,” defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. “But fortunately, we do have some guys in there. It’s not like the well is dry.”

The Bruins, who have been practicing without at least 10 players from their two-deep list because of injuries this spring, lost fullback Michael Pitre (hamstring) and offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga (broken hand) to injuries this week.

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