It’s Full-Speed Ahead for Paus

His arm strength isn’t all the way back, and neither is his timing. The pain hasn’t completely gone. But Cory Paus, who returns as the UCLA quarterback Saturday against Arizona State after missing three games because of separated shoulder, sees no reason to sit out another two weeks.

“That isn’t going to allow my bone to heal any more,” Paus said. “A little bit of pain might diminish, but it’s going to be as safe for me to play Saturday as it would be in two weeks.”

Paus looked sharp enough in practice Tuesday for UCLA Coach Bob Toledo to confirm plans for Paus to return Saturday. Toledo bristled at any suggestion he was rushing Paus into action.

“I’m not doing this in a panic,” Toledo said. “It’s not a panic decision. He’s healthy, and I wouldn’t do it if he wasn’t healthy.”

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Safety Marques Anderson, whose 25 tackles rank second on the Bruins, will miss Saturday’s game. He is scheduled for outpatient surgery Thursday for a condition he said had been bothering him for several days and Toledo said affected his play against Oregon. Anderson declined to specify the condition but said, “It’s nothing major. It’s not like I have to get a kidney removed. It’s just a simple procedure.”

Audie Attar or Jason Stephens will start in Anderson’s place, and both will play, Toledo said. The Bruins have a bye next week, and Anderson is expected to return for the Sept. 14 against Oregon.