Mitchell Remains Upbeat

An upbeat Freddie Mitchell, out for the season because of a broken left leg, said Thursday he is confident of a return to full strength and speed in 1999, but that he has not decided whether to petition the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.

“I’m feeling great,” the return specialist/flanker said. “A little injury like this can’t hold me down. I think things like this happen for a reason. I’ve just got to take it and move on.”

Mitchell suffered the injury Sept. 19 at Houston and underwent surgery that night to insert a rod and two interlocking screws. He has started riding a stationary bike as part of the rehabilitation and is walking without a brace or cast, usually relying only on crutches to get around.

Team physician Dr. Gerald Finerman has said the prognosis for a full recovery is good. Mitchell said of the return next season: “I feel I can, and I feel I will be even better than this year.” With how much eligibility remains to be seen.

Although it is rare, the NCAA has been granting special waivers for a sixth year with greater frequency in recent years. UCLA officials said they would look into that possibility, but only if Mitchell wanted. Mitchell, who used his redshirt season in 1997 and is currently considered a freshman, was noncommittal on the topic Thursday.

Mitchell has not yet attended a practice, because of conflicts with his rehabilitation schedule, but he plans to be on the sideline Saturday when the Bruins play Washington State at the Rose Bowl. That is the first full game he will miss.

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Bruin hopes that the cancellation/postponement of the Miami game would be beneficial for players healing from minor injuries have come true.

Oscar Cabrera, who would not have played last week at the Orange Bowl, is expected to return against Washington State, though James Ghezzi will still start at guard. Pete Holland, who might not have faced the Hurricanes, should play against the Cougars, but without his usual spot in the opening lineup. Jayson Brown will probably get the call at defensive end.