COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT / UCLA : A Really Special Start for Strycula

It’s not as if he hasn’t played before. Senior Joey Strycula has actually had an important role the previous two years. Just not a visible role.

That will change Saturday night against Boise State at the Rose Bowl. The senior from Covina, after back-to-back seasons as the holder on field goals for Chris Sailer and a regular on other special teams, likely will start at free safety, an opportunity that may come because of the mass suspensions but hardly seems to him like ownership by default.

“When I came here, I never really wanted to be just a special-teams player,” said Strycula, who arrived as a walk-on but earned a scholarship last spring. “I understand that’s how you first start sometimes. But this was my ultimate goal, starting on defense. And now I’m going to get the chance.

“Now I kind of feel I’ve reached a goal of mine. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I hold on to the job.”

The opener will mark the first start at UCLA for Strycula, who has always been well regarded by the Bruin staff because of his great attitude and intelligence for the game. No wonder. His grandfather was the longtime head coach at Citrus College and his father and other family members have been offensive coordinators and position coaches in high school.

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Bruin hopes of not burning a redshirt season by using Bryce Bohlander in the first two games have all but vanished. UCLA Coach Bob Toledo, after giving the situation a closer look, conceded the prized recruit from Keizer, Ore., will probably have to play sometime this season because of a lack of depth on the offensive line, so it might as well be early. “We didn’t want to have to do it,” Toledo said. “But we were kind of forced to do it.” Brian Polak, currently a starting tackle, is the only other Bruin to have played on the offensive line as a true freshman for Toledo, now entering his fourth year.