He’s Usually Not a Game-Dropper

Brian Poli-Dixon hasn’t dropped every pass thrown to him at UCLA. It just seems that way to folks with short memories. The rangy 6-foot-5 senior dropped all three tossed his way against Alabama, including one that might have gone for a touchdown. But by the end of the season he might have more catches than any Bruin ever has.

Poli-Dixon needs 65 to eclipse Kevin Jordan’s mark of 179, set from 1992-95. The top of the career lists for receiving yards and touchdowns are also within reach. But first things first.

“There is no reason for me dropping the ball,” he said. “You know, you can catch the ball without looking at it sometimes. I have to get away from that and give my complete concentration to looking the ball all the way into my hands.”

Quarterback Cory Paus also struggled against Alabama, passing for only 123 yards. He got a phone call Sunday from Poli-Dixon.

“Cory and I had a little talk and we were ready to play right then and there,” he said. “I’m not the type of person who is going to dwell on the past.”

Confidence is never a problem for the outspoken Poli-Dixon. It was suggested that Coach Bob Toledo’s game plan against Kansas might include an early pass to his beleaguered receiver to get him in the flow.

“If I’m a coach, I’m thinking the same thing,” Poli-Dixon said.

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Strongside linebacker was a revolving door during training camp. The starter going in, Marcus Reese, was deemed too small and moved to the middle. Sophomore Brandon Chillar and redshirt freshman Tim Warfield played well, but Chillar missed practices because of minor injuries and Warfield is inexperienced.

Coaches moved rugged Mat Ball from defensive end to the position about a week before the opener and Ball started against Alabama. However, Chillar played much of the game because his mobility was needed against scrambling quarterback Tyler Watts.

Chillar had better be ready this week as well. Kansas runs a similar offense, employing the shotgun and spreading the field with receivers.

“Brandon gives us the speed we need to cover the field,” Toledo said. “We’ve got different linebackers for different situations.”

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Kansas quarterback Mario Kinsey, a redshirt freshman, has not begun his career because he was suspended last week for his involvement in a June purse-snatching incident.

But he already has made a debut against UCLA.

Kinsey was a guard on the Jayhawk basketball team that played the Bruins in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York. Kinsey had two points and three assists in 19 minutes.

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Jayhawk running back Reggie Duncan was suspended along with Kinsey. The Douglas County, Kan., district attorney has not decided whether to file charges against the players.