COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Kirschke Counting on Playing Time

Travis Kirschke, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound nose guard from Esperanza High in Anaheim, could get significant playing time this season despite being a true freshman.

A consensus prep All-American who was one of the most heavily recruited football players in the Southland, Kirschke was The Times’ Southern California Player of the Year and the Cal-Hi Sports State Player of the Year.

“I really didn’t know what to expect because I’ve never played at this level,” Kirschke said. “But it’s a big jump from high school. If you slack off one play you’re going to regret it. The competition is there, and I like that.’

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Ryan Fien threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver J.J. Stokes during a 21-play scrimmage Friday afternoon.

Freshman running back Skip Hicks and redshirt freshman running back Derek Ayers played well during the scrimmage, UCLA Coach Terry Donahue said.

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Linebacker Jamir Miller (flu) and safety Tommy Bennett (pulled groin) sat out Friday’s scrimmage. The Bruins will hold a public scrimmage today at 5:30 at the Rose Bowl. Gates open at 4:30. Donahue said the quarterback who starts today’s scrimmage won’t necessarily be the starter for the Bruins’ season-opener against Cal at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 4.