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UCLA focused on Memphis, but already catches a break for Texas game

UCLA Coach Jim Mora watches his team play against Virginia on Saturday.
(Andrew Shurtleff / Associated Press)
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UCLA plays Memphis this week.

So it’s never too soon to look ahead to Texas.

The Bruins play the Longhorns in AT&T Stadium on Sept. 13 and appear to have caught a break from some Texas misfortune.

Quarterback David Ash will not play against Brigham Young University this week after suffering a concussion in last weekend’s game against North Texas. Given Ash’s concussion history — he missed 10 games last season — the chances of him playing against the Bruins are minimal. Sophomore Tyrone Swoopes will start this week against BYU.

Further bad news for the Longhorns was the loss of starting center Dominic Espinosa, who suffered a broken ankle against North Texas. He was the stabilizing influence on the line, having started 40 games at center. Redshirt freshman Jake Raulerson replaced Espinosa.

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UCLA fans can appreciate what the loss of a veteran center can mean. The Bruins played without Jake Brendel in a laborious 28-20 victory over Virginia on Saturday.

As for this week, you go to Memphis for ribs, not big-time football. The Tigers have lost 17 consecutive games to teams currently in the “Power Five” conferences.

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