Offensive Line Remains a Trouble Spot

The Bruins began to piece together a new offensive line Monday, soliciting players from other positions to prepare for USC and even counting on one who hasn’t been healthy enough to play at his usual spot.

That is only fitting, of course, since being injured is now a prerequisite for being on the unit. So Bryan Fletcher, who has been in the opening lineup three times at tight end but missed the last three games because of a sprained ankle, may become the backup tackle and starting defensive tackle Anthony Fletcher (no relation) will probably join the offensive line for extra points. Randy Hakes, the current No. 1 tight end, has also been mentioned.

This comes as tackle Blake Worley is still being listed as questionable because of the sprained knee that sidelined him in the first quarter last Saturday and the Bruins are down to their fourth-string center and listing a starting guard, Oscar Cabrera, as the backup there. The only actual depth for the current No. 1 line of Bryce Bohlander, Cabrera, James Ghezzi, Brian Polak and Micah Webb are seldom-used Ed Anderson and walk-on Doug Cummings.

The challenge for the Bruins is to get as much work for Ghezzi (who before the Washington game had not played center in a game since he was a high school freshman), Bohlander (the true freshman who just started for the first time) and Webb (who this week will start for the first time on offense) without risking further injury.

“We’re going to play flag football in practice,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

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The Bruins have the eight-game winning streak in the series, the Trojans have the pressure this week. So says Toledo,

“I think there’s a lot more pressure on them than us,” the UCLA coach said. “They’ve got to stop the streak.”

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The Bruins remain hopeful Ken Kocher, usually a starting defensive tackle, will return against USC after missing the Washington game because of a sprained ankle, if only for limited action. He will not make the opening lineup, a job that will again go to Anthony Fletcher.