No Cougar Rematch for Injured Perry

This is not the game Bruin receiver Tab Perry wanted to miss. Not after he spent five days in a Pullman, Wash., hospital last year with broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Perry was injured by a hit from Washington State cornerback Marcus Trufant in UCLA’s 20-14 loss to Washington State. Cougar Coach Mike Price and several players visited him in the hospital.

“They went out of their way to see me,” said Perry, who has a high ankle sprain. “It was nice. But I didn’t like getting hurt. It’s unfortunate. I wanted to play in this game real bad.”

The 6-foot-2 junior leads the Bruins with an average of 19.9 yards per catch and is third with 35 receptions. His absence has forced Craig Bragg to move from split end to flanker and will thrust freshman Junior Taylor into the starting lineup.

“Taylor is ready, he’s been impressive,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

The loss of Perry might be felt as much on special teams as on offense. He is second in the Pacific 10 Conference with a 25.0 kick return average.

The other kick returner, freshman Jason Harrison, has not practiced because of a concussion and is questionable. Tailback Tyler Ebell and cornerbacks Matt Clark and Ricky Manning could return kicks Saturday.

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Mike Seidman is one of three finalists for the Mackey Award, given to college football’s top tight end. Kellen Winslow Jr. of Miami and Dallas Clark of Iowa are the others.

Seidman, the only Bruin invited to the Senior Bowl, is third in the nation with 563 receiving yards. His 37 receptions are seven fewer than the school season record set by Paul Bergmann in 1983.

“It’s nice to be recognized like this,” Seidman said. “There are a lot of great tight ends this year, so I’m definitely honored.”

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Cornerback Matt Ware, a freshman All-American last season, hasn’t exactly been the victim of a sophomore jinx, but he admits to not playing up to expectations. He has only one interception after having five last year.

He has had to leave several games because of injuries ranging from a sprained ankle to a pulled hamstring to bruised ribs.

“Coming out a lot makes it hard to get into a rhythm,” he said. “I need to be more consistent, that’s the main thing.”

Ware began the season at free safety and moved to cornerback -- where he started every game last year -- after two weeks.

“I’ll be a corner for the rest of my career,” he said.

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Reserve receivers Jon Dubravac (broken toes) and Garrett Lepisto (flu) returned to practice Wednesday and will play.

Harrison was restricted to light drills and defensive end Mat Ball did not practice because of concussions. Harrison is questionable and Ball is expected to play.