Leisle Is Expected to Start

In a turnaround that might give the Bruins a significant boost, defensive tackle Rodney Leisle will start against Arizona State on Saturday despite a bruised left collarbone that was expected to keep him out of the game.

“He will play. How long he can play, how long he can hold up, that will be determined at game time,” Coach Karl Dorrell said.

“I think it’s a great emotional lift. Obviously, he’s one of the anchors of our defensive line. It’s a good unit when they’re working together and all on the field at the same time. I think it’s probably an emotional lift for the other three guys knowing he’s in there.”

Leisle also has been the big-play spark in two of the Bruins’ three conference victories, recovering a fumble for a touchdown to ignite a comeback against Washington and returning an interception for the winning touchdown against Arizona.

Leisle practiced Thursday for the first time since being injured late in last week’s game against California. He was considered doubtful for Saturday as late as Wednesday, but Dorrell said “aggressive treatment” helped enable him to practice and that Leisle was “practically normal” in practice.

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Injured center Mike McCloskey, who broke his left ankle against Washington on Oct. 4 and had a metal plate and seven screws inserted into the ankle, is holding out hope of returning this season if the Bruins appear in a bowl game.

“It’s definitely possible for me to play in a bowl game if we play in a late enough bowl,” said McCloskey, who has begun physical therapy but will remain on crutches for several more weeks. “It’s a great goal to shoot for. It lights the fire to get back.”

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Arizona State’s offense struggled early in the season with turnovers, poor third-down performance and red zone productivity, but the Sun Devil offense has been on a roll the last two weeks against Oregon and North Carolina.

Although those two teams have statistically poor pass defenses, Dorrell says it’s a matter of quarterback Andrew Walter playing better and the offensive line giving him time to throw. “I think he’s hit his stride -- unfortunately for us,” Dorrell said.

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Paul Mociler will start at right guard again, but newly converted defensive lineman Kevin Brown will rotate in, Dorrell said.... Arizona State wasn’t happy with the officiating in its last-second, 33-31 victory at North Carolina, but Coach Dirk Koetter had a ready comeback when he was asked about the “Southern cooking” in that game. “The food was excellent in North Carolina,” he deadpanned. “I had one of the best steaks I’ve ever had.”

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Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report.