Appeal to Be Filed on Foster’s Behalf

UCLA will file an appeal with the NCAA today in an effort to reinstate suspended tailback DeShaun Foster.

The appeal will be heard Thursday by a committee of administrators from other schools during a conference call that will include UCLA administrators, NCAA staff, Foster and his attorney, Robert C. Berry.

UCLA officials believe the committee will make its ruling within two days. But even in the unlikely event Foster’s eligibility is restored immediately, he probably would not play much Saturday against Arizona State in the regular-season finale because he has not practiced in three weeks.

“Filing the appeal shows we care,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “It’s the least we can do.”

Foster, a senior, has sat out two games since being declared ineligible Nov. 7. Two weeks ago, the NCAA ruled he would not be reinstated at all. He is eligible to play in postseason all-star games.

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UCLA could be shut out of the bowl picture. Its best hopes are the Silicon Valley Bowl in San Jose, which will pit Fresno State against an at-large team, and the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, which will probably match Western Athletic Conference leader Louisiana Tech against an at-large team.

But there are more bowl-eligible teams than available berths, including several teams that could sell more tickets than UCLA.

“Everybody on our team wants to play to salvage some of the season,” tight end Bryan Fletcher said.