Top Running Backs Doubtful

UCLA and Oregon appear destined to be without their No. 1 running backs Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, a bigger blow for the Ducks because the backup to Reuben Droughns likewise does not figure to play.

Droughns and Bruin DeShaun Foster are listed as doubtful, Foster because of the sprained ankle that limited him to one series last week at Arizona State. Droughns--who had 172 yards last year in Pasadena, part of which came despite a broken leg--suffered separated ribs Sept. 25 against USC and missed all of last Saturday’s loss at Washington.

“Right now, it doesn’t look good,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said of Foster. “We’ll wait up until game time [before making a decision].”

Oregon is also calling backup Herman Ho-Ching doubtful because of a sprained foot, meaning it will be down to third stringer Derien Latimer. The Ducks had only 62 yards rushing against Washington, meaning they have been unable to break triple digits on the ground in the last six games Droughns missed. In all, they have averaged 204.3 yards in the nine games the Anaheim High graduate has played and 95.8 yards in the eight games he hasn’t.

UCLA, meanwhile, will start Keith Brown, coming off his career-best 182 yards against Arizona. That broke his previous mark of 101 yards from last season--against Oregon.

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Kickoff for the Oct. 16 game against California at the Rose Bowl has been set for 12:30. Channel 7 will televise.