Two UCLA Players Arrested : Football: Williams and Walker plead not guilty to misdemeanor weapons charges in Beverly Hills.

Two UCLA football players, tailback Kevin Williams and nose guard Bruce Walker, pleaded not guilty to several misdemeanor weapons charges, including having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, at their arraignment Friday in Beverly Hills Municipal Court.

Williams and Walker were stopped by Beverly Hills police about 4 a.m. Thursday when a vehicle driven by Williams allegedly ran a red light.

The arresting officer said he found a pistol in the vehicle, Beverly Hills Police Lt. Jim Smith told the Associated Press.

Walker and Williams allegedly told police they had fired about five shots into the air as they were returning from a downtown bar to the UCLA campus, Smith said.

Williams, a 6-foot, 208-pound senior from Spring, Tex., completed his athletic eligibility last season. Walker, a 6-4, 290-pound junior from Compton, has one season of eligibility remaining.

UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis suspended both men, pending a resolution of the case.

“The two student-athletes will be suspended from all intercollegiate athletic endeavors, effective immediately, until more details become available regarding the allegations,” Dalis said in a statement.

Williams was charged with having a concealed weapon in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a city, and knowingly permitting another person to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle, each of which carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. He was also charged with driving with a suspended license.

Walker was charged with carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle, each of which carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Released on $5,000 bail each, Williams and Walker are due to return to court for a pretrial hearing on Feb. 9.

Gerald Chaleff, Williams’ attorney, said that the weapon found in the car didn’t belong to Williams.

“It wasn’t Kevin’s and I don’t believe it was Bruce’s,” Chaleff said. “I hope this doesn’t get blown out of proportion, because nothing really happened.

“I know that Kevin is certainly embarrassed by this. This isn’t a reflection of his character. He has no record whatsoever.”

Walker would not discuss the case on the advice of his attorney, Michael Goossen.

The leading rusher in the Pac-10 in 1991, Williams gained 1,141 yards and scored eight touchdowns as a junior. He was sidelined for four games because of knee and hamstring injuries last season, but still rushed for a team-high 582 yards and five touchdowns.

Williams, who plans to pursue a career in the NFL, was the second-leading rusher in the Hula Bowl all-star game last Saturday in Honolulu, running for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Walker, a two-year starter, had 57 tackles, fifth-best on the team last season. After sitting out the Bruins’ season opener because of a pulled hamstring, Walker started the last six games.