It’s a Start for Cleman

Braxton Cleman carried the ball fewer times and gained fewer yards than any of the other three Washington tailbacks with whom he shares rushing duties.

But Rich Alexis is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, Willie Hurst has a broken collarbone and Paul Arnold is done for the season because of a back problem.

So Cleman, who gained only 246 yards, will start for the Huskies in Monday’s Rose Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Cleman at least comes in with some momentum, having gained 105 of those yards in the regular-season finale against Washington State.

And he comes in buoyed by the confidence the coaching staff is showing in him.

“We just hope he will carry it over from the Washington State game,” running backs coach Wayne Moses said. “He’s been very consistent. He catches the ball well, he’s learned to find the lanes and knows where the blocking is.”

Said Cleman of his starting spot: “It’s an honor. I was kind of a nobody when I first came here.”

Alexis and Hurst practiced Thursday and are expected to play Monday.

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Flanker Todd Elstrom bruised a knee in practice Thursday, but the injury is not considered serious. . . . The Huskies practiced in pads for the final time Thursday.