COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT / UCLA : Mitchell to Be Busy Again

Freddie Mitchell and DeShaun Foster appear destined to be two-way players again in Week 2, bound for another game in the secondary because of the lack of depth there and maybe because Mitchell simply refuses to leave.

Between catching one pass for 11 yards, a quiet night in that regard, and returning four punts and one kickoff, Mitchell also made two tackles Saturday at cornerback in the season opener against Boise State. One of those was an open-field stop--in case anyone missed it.

“He was yelling, ‘They’re not ready for me!’ ” Foster said. “You know Freddie.”

Said Coach Bob Toledo of Mitchell: “Drive stopper, baby.”

Actually, wrapping up Boise State running back Brock Forsey on a screen pass after a seven-yard gain on third and 10 forced the Broncos to punt. Mitchell then returned the punt 11 yards and had an 11-yard reception on the ensuing possession as part of the Bruins’ first touchdown drive.

“I felt comfortable,” Mitchell said of his first time on defense in almost three years, since his senior year in high school. “I knew what I was supposed to do and just went out and did it. I felt like I knew what I was doing out there and felt right at home.”

Foster, the starting tailback, spent a few plays at safety, but did not make a tackle.

“It was different at first,” he said. “I was kind of disappointed that they didn’t throw the ball at me, but I was happy they didn’t throw the ball to me.”

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The Bruins are encouraged that Danny Farmer will be able to play, though he won’t start, Saturday at Ohio State after he practiced Wednesday for the first time since spraining his left ankle Aug. 21.

More will be known today, after trainers see how the joint reacts because of the increased work.