Toledo Intensifies Practice Sessions

In the wake of Saturday’s loss to California, UCLA Coach Bob Toledo opted for a rough week of practice. The Bruins normally wear shorts for practices Monday and Thursday, with contact drills and scrimmages limited to Tuesday and Wednesday, but Toledo ordered his players into helmets and pads every day this week.

“We’re not going to beat players up, but I want to get their attention,” he said. “I’m not doing it as punishment. I’m doing it to see if we can become better. Maybe we can become more physical up front.”

Or maybe the Bruins can try some new players up front. Toledo said sophomore Blake Worley and redshirt freshman Shane Lehmann would be given the chance this week to win starting jobs on an offensive line that has allowed eight sacks over the past two games and struggled to open holes for tailbacks Akil Harris and Jermaine Lewis. Toledo also said Harris, a redshirt freshman, could replace Lewis, a senior, as the starter.

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Although X-rays Monday showed some healing in the broken hand of star tailback DeShaun Foster, he will not return this week. Doctors might fit him with a splint next week and see if he can play while wearing it. Defensive end Sean Phillips said he would miss at least two weeks because of a high ankle sprain.