Foster Handles Questions

Instead of a tough defensive front, DeShaun Foster faced an aggressive line of questioning Monday. He didn’t fumble for words.

The UCLA tailback dropped the football four times against Ohio State on Saturday and the Bruins lost two. It was time to explain.

“When I was getting stood up in the pile, they did a good job of stripping the ball,” he said. “I have to keep two hands on the ball and squeeze it tight when I’m fighting for yardage.”

The thought, however, didn’t cross his mind until after the game.

“If you think about it you’ll probably fumble,” he said. “So I tried not to think about it.”

Coach Bob Toledo did, removing Foster for two drives in the fourth quarter of the Bruins’ 13-6 victory. It’s nothing permanent, though. He is averaging 27 carries a game. “I know the coaches have faith in me,” he said. “I’m not concerned about it.”

Foster is not a chronic fumbler. “If you play enough and get hit the right way, you fumble the ball,” Toledo said. “But it’s got to be a little more important to him. DeShaun has a tendency to carry the ball away from his body.”

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Tackle Mike Saffer will not practice because of the knee sprain he sustained against Ohio State and is questionable against Oregon State.

He would be replaced by redshirt freshman Steve Vieira, the top reserve at guard and tackle.

“I have a lot of confidence in Steve,” Saffer said. “He’s ready to step in.” Depth on the line is a concern. Vieira, Paul Mociler and John Ream are the only experienced backups, but Toledo is unwilling to go with any of the five freshmen who are redshirting.