COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Miller Returns to Bruin Practice

Linebacker Jamir Miller, who sat out the first three days of practice while school officials were determining his status, practiced for the first time Tuesday. Miller, who was suspended for the season opener against Cal on Sept. 4 after he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of possession of stolen property, maintained his innocence.

“Everything that happened shouldn’t have happened,” Miller said. “The police were informed that I wasn’t involved, yet they still chose to pursue it. I understand their position, but I can’t be happy with that. But I’m happy it’s all over.”

Why didn’t Miller contest the charge?

“What could I do?” Miller said. “The stuff just happened to be in my house. . . . The press hasn’t been too kind to me. It’s not like I had a lot of support through the whole ordeal except for my family and UCLA. This is just a wake-up call.

“But I’ve put all that behind me.”

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The seasonlong suspension of nose guard Bruce Walker will force the Bruins to play two newcomers--redshirt sophomore George Kase and true freshman Travis Kirschke.

Sale Isaia, who started six games at nose guard last season, had been expected to replace Walker, but Isaia is still recovering from off-season back surgery.

Kase, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound sophomore, played in only one game on defense last season, taking five snaps against Cal. Kirschke, 6-5, 255 pounds, was a consensus prep All-American last season after leading Anaheim Esperanza High to the Southern Section Division II title.

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The Bruins will work out in pads today for the first time this season. . . . Running back Ricky Davis, who missed the first three days of practice because of an illness in the family, arrived from his home in Houston.