Auditions Being Held for Punt Returner

Eric Scott caught some passes from Drew Bennett in practice, which was nothing new, except that Bennett was throwing from punt formation and Scott was standing well downfield.

It’s all part of UCLA’s search for a punt returner to back up Jim McElroy, who is still recovering from a concussion suffered Oct. 11 at Oregon.

Bennett was throwing because the Bruins have no punter to back up Chris Sailer, who was resting his leg.

“We’re just looking for somebody we’re going to take on the road,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

UCLA has one more trip, to Stanford for a game Nov. 1, and Scott, as a member of the regular receiver corps, is part of the traveling team.

Mark Reynosa, a walk-on whom the Bruins turned to Saturday when return man Jermaine Lewis dropped a punt for the second time this season, is not part of the traveling team. Reynosa also fumbled running back a kick against Oregon State on Saturday.

For this week’s game against California, McElroy will return kicks if cleared by doctors, backed up by either Reynosa or Scott.

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Skip Hicks wore pads but worked out lightly Tuesday, and if that work load doesn’t increase today, Toledo said Hicks probably will not start Saturday. . . . Receiver Danny Farmer missed practice because of strep throat, and others on the team and coaching staff are experiencing symptoms of the malady. . . . The game at Stanford on Nov. 1 has been set for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised on Channel 9.

NEXT FOR UCLA

Who: Caifornia

Where: Rose Bowl

When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

TV: None

Radio: AM 1150