Donahue Steps on Old Ground

The new guy from CBS walked around Spaulding Field on Monday morning, seemingly at ease, more comfortable than most people doing a new job.

He ought to have been. Terry Donahue spent a large part of his life on the UCLA practice field. The former Bruin coach, who retired in December, spent time with his successor, Bob Toledo, shook a few hands and talked easily in a dual role of university official, working on a tribute to Chancellor Charles Young, who will retire at the end of the school year, and football commentator, a job for which he warmed up with two broadcasts last season.

His first game this season is Sept. 7, UCLA at Tennessee.

“It’s good to be back here, but it’s a little strange,” said Donahue. “It’s kind of like an out-of-body experience.

“In the spring, it was no problem because I had just retired and was getting used to it. I’ve spent some time on vacation, but this is the first time I haven’t had to stop vacation and start football on Aug. 1.”

His time recently has been spent with the San Diego Chargers, going to their practices and doing color commentary for three of their exhibition games in another attempt at getting used to a new role.

And in Knoxville, when the Bruins line up against Tennessee, their alumnus-former coach said he still won’t be dwelling on what was. Only what is and will be.

“When I’m in the booth, there isn’t time,” he said. “There’s too much going on for that.”

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Freshman tight end Gabe Crecion has what is called a “left foot stress reaction,” which trainers call a precursor to a stress fracture. He is wearing a boot, which is a soft walking cast and is in uniform, but not practicing. . . . Right guard Chad Sauter was the only casualty in Saturday’s scrimmage, suffering a sprained right ankle that will keep him from practicing for a few days.