Lewis Kicks Off Bid to Make Up Lost Ground

A crucial Saturday for all the Bruins has additional implications for one of them as the the best third-string tailback--or so says the depth chart--in the country begins the battle to regain his starting job.

“I’m not going to put a lot of weight on my shoulders, but it is a big game,” Jermaine Lewis said. “It’s kind of like there’s some doubt out there. I know a lot of the focus is going to be on me.”

And not just by the Oregon defense. Lewis returns to the lineup after serving a one-week suspension for fighting, just not to the starting lineup. Although all three will play, Keith Brown still will start, more in recognition of his two touchdowns at Arizona than continued punishment of Lewis by Coach Bob Toledo, and DeShaun Foster is the backup.

At least Lewis gets one of his former spots back today, joining Foster as the deep men on kickoff returns.

“Keith did a great job last weekend, and DeShaun too,” Lewis said. “They both held [the position] down in my absence. I’m proud and happy for both of them. As far as Coach Toledo, he said I’d worked my way up before so I can do it again.”

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The Heisman Trophy hype that Ducks’ officials tried to jump-start last week by mailing out about 1,000 postcards promoting Akili Smith gets a built-in boost today because of the schedule. Cade McNown of UCLA, a strong preseason choice for the award, will oppose Smith in a matchup of quarterbacks amid heavy TV and national media coverage at the Rose Bowl.

“I started thinking about that as soon as they flashed on ESPN that ‘College Game Day’ was coming from Pasadena,” Smith said. “Man, this is an opportunity, to play the No. 2 team in the country and Cade McNown versus Akili Smith. I thought that was great.”

So great he couldn’t get to sleep Sunday night after learning of the potential for a publicity windfall. He finally drifted off after a few hours.

It may not just be Smith, either. The task for all the Ducks includes dealing with the hype.

“I don’t think so,” Coach Mike Bellotti said when asked if his team was getting too caught up in the excitement. “I hope not, obviously. All you have to do is turn on the films and watch UCLA to get right back down to earth and say, ‘Boy, that’s a great football team.’ We know that we’re going to have to play very, very well to have an opportunity to win. We’re a fairly young team, especially on the defensive side, but I think there’s enough veterans to give the younger kids some perspective and say, ‘Hey, we’ve just got to go out and play football and relax and let it flow.’ ”