COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : ROSE BOWL : Bruin Tailback Davis Craves Spotlight

Because Ricky Davis saved the best for last, UCLA is in the Rose Bowl. And maybe he’ll get the opportunity he dearly wants.

The Bruins’ only senior running back rushed 26 times for 153 yards in their 27-21 victory over USC on Nov. 20, making the most of his last regular-season chance to show NFL scouts that previous statistics might be deceiving.

“I think I displayed everything I’ve got in that game--quickness, toughness, the ability to catch the ball and to block,” Davis said.

Against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Davis will start at tailback, as he has since the season’s fourth game. He rushed for 470 yards in 116 carries, compiling a not very eye-opening average of 3.9 yards per carry.

“But when people see (film of the game against USC), it might give me a chance when teams make up their practice squads or sign free agents,” Davis said, indicating he didn’t expect to be drafted. “One thing I showed: I’m not slow. If you’re writing something, please write that. I don’t know where (reports of) my being slow came from.”

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The Bruins ran full-contact drills Wednesday, but only one practice in pads is scheduled for next week. They had scheduled practice for today, but canceled it to let players catch flights home early for Christmas. They will reassemble Sunday.