Smith Set for Ankle Surgery

Receiver Ryan Smith will have surgery on his right ankle, provided team physician Gerald Finerman gives him permission.

Dr. Richard Ferkel, a Van Nuys foot and ankle specialist, recommended Tuesday that Smith have arthroscopic surgery through the front and back of the ankle.

“He said he can get to the fluid and scar tissue by going through the back,” Smith said. “I want to have the surgery as soon as possible so I can be healthy by spring practice.”

Smith, a junior, injured the ankle midway through last season and took injections of painkillers to continue playing. Finerman performed surgery in February, but the injury never completely healed.

This season, Smith played in the first eight games for UCLA but was never 100%. He sat out the last two games.

*

It does not appear that defensive tackle Rodney Leisle will play Saturday against USC. The junior preseason All-American has missed five games because of a foot injury that is still giving him pain.

“It doesn’t look good,” he said. “It hurts.”

Jon Dubravac has a concussion and is questionable. The senior reserve receiver is the only Bruin who played the last time UCLA defeated USC, in 1998.

*

Coach Bob Toledo often laments his poor memory, but he has a clear image of his favorite moment against USC. It came in 1996, his first year as head coach.

“We were down by 17 at halftime and down by 17 with six minutes to go,” he said. “I saw a lot of people leaving. Then we tied it up and beat them in double overtime. That was a game I’ll never forget.”