ROSE BOWL / DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Ailing, Voiceless Cook Works Out

UCLA quarterback Wayne Cook had a silent practice Wednesday, after returning from a bout with flu. He threw passes and handed off, but was unable to call plays and signals.

That voice heard shouting, “Hut,” belonged to offensive coordinator Homer Smith, who was croaking by day’s end. “We don’t need me,” Smith said. “We can’t play without him.”

Cook, who has lost weight during an illness that started on Christmas Day, still has a sore throat, and the coaches are concerned about potential laryngitis. He reported to practice at noon and went through a heated afternoon workout. Afterward, he was unavailable to reporters.

“I told Marc Dellins, our sports information director, that if he couldn’t talk to the team, there was no use in him talking to the media either,” Coach Terry Donahue said.

“He had an interesting day. He got tired. He was rusty. And we were delighted to have him back.”

Donahue said that today would be another silent day for Cook.

“I didn’t think he could play well in the game without a pretty good practice today,” Donahue added. “I would have probably played him anyway, but I don’t think he could have played well.”

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When UCLA defensive back Marvin Goodwin and Wisconsin wide receiver Lee DeRamus meet Saturday in the Rose Bowl, it will be a reunion of sorts.

DeRamus played at Edgewood Regional High in Sicklerville, N.J., Goodwin at Woodrow Wilson High in Camden, N.J.

“I don’t remember much about it, except that he must not have done very well because we always won,” said Goodwin, laughing.

DeRamus’ memory is better.

“I was a defensive back and wide receiver, and he was a running back and defensive back,” DeRamus said. “We were bumping heads the whole time we were in school. I remember him being a great running back.

“I think one time we played and it was our biggest game of the year. They stopped us on the one-yard line and won the game.

“I’m looking forward to facing him. I’m always happy for the success of the old hometown.”

The two probably will bump heads again Saturday, and often.

Goodwin, a strong safety, was a second team All-American, DeRamus, Wisconsin’s leading receiver, an honorable mention All-American.