COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Donahue: Don’t Blame It All on Cook

Wayne Cook was sore Monday. His body ached because it had been pounded by the Washington State defense Saturday in a 21-0 UCLA loss at the Rose Bowl. His spirit ached because he had left the field to boos from the crowd in the fourth quarter.

Coach Terry Donahue is trying to rebuild his quarterback’s confidence and his game, but he’s not blind. Or deaf.

“Wayne Cook was a good enough quarterback last year to take us to a conference championship, and I think he’s good enough this year to quarterback our football team,” Donahue said. “I’m just not of the opinion that he’s the only answer to our difficulties.”

Donahue pulled Cook and put in Ryan Fien after Cook had been sacked seven times.

“The other night, he was physically abused because we couldn’t protect him,” the coach said. “That really isn’t Wayne’s fault.”

But other things are?

“I do think that Wayne has made some poor throwing decisions this year,” Donahue said. “I think he’s pressing because he doesn’t have his right arm out there.”

The right arm, said Donahue, is wide receiver J.J. Stokes, who was injured in the Tennessee game and has played one half--against Washington State--since. Stokes aggravated his bruised thigh, causing swelling in the knee, and might be sidelined for several more weeks.

When Cook was replaced by Fien, it was something new to him but it might be something for him to get used to.

“I think it’s fair to say that if your starting quarterback is struggling and continues to struggle, you’re more inclined to make a quarterback change earlier,” Donahue said.

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Stokes on fans booing Cook: “They’re supposed to be cheering for us, but they’re booing. If you don’t like it, don’t come out to watch us play.” . . . Stokes’ sitting out Saturday is music to the ears of Jim Lambright, Washington’s coach. “When you lose a J.J. Stokes, who’s such a huge tool, as he proved against us last year, it hurts your whole team,” he said. Stokes caught four touchdown passes against Washington last season.

Sentencing for safety Tommy Bennett, who pleaded no contest a week ago to felony charges of grand theft and making a false financial statement, has been delayed until Wednesday. . . . Guard Matt Soenksen will probably sit out the Washington game, leaving the Bruins short in the offensive line. He will be replaced by Sean Gully or Chad Suter, which means that only two linemen who started against Tennessee in the season opener, left tackle Jonathan Ogden and center Mike Flanagan, will be starting at Seattle.