Ruckman Enjoys Role as Starter

UCLA nose guard Jeff Ruckman, who won the starting position in the preseason, three weeks after being moved from backup linebacker, is anxious to play again Saturday night at Oregon, and he is hoping that his time comes just after kickoff.

“I prefer starting because you can get the smell, the feel of the game right away,” he said.

Weldon Forde, who shared time with Ruckman in the Tennessee game until Ruckman suffered a knee-ligament sprain in the second quarter, will probably line up for the first play Saturday, but the two will probably share time.