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Dorrell Focuses on the Punt Team

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Times Staff Writer

UCLA will put a special emphasis on its punt team this week after Oklahoma’s Antonio Perkins returned seven punts for an NCAA-record 277 yards and three touchdowns against the Bruins on Saturday.

“There’s a lot we can change,” Coach Karl Dorrell said. “We tried two directional punts and didn’t get the job done. Our errors were small, but they were critical.... We could use some starters and key backups on the punt team.

“We’re going to put the best personnel out there to get the best coverage we can.”

Though punter Chris Kluwe split the hash marks with a fourth-quarter punt that was supposed to go out of bounds and instead resulted in Perkins’ 65-yard touchdown return, he will not be among the changes.

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“The first two weeks, Kluwe was good, so you would think the third week would be the same way,” Dorrell said. “I’m not giving up on Kluwe. He’s a good punter.”

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With Marcedes Lewis (left shoulder sprain) and Blane Kezirian (left ankle sprain) doubtful for Saturday night’s game against San Diego State, J.J. Hair, a freshman from Capistrano Valley High who played much of the second half against Oklahoma, could start at tight end against the Aztecs.

Sophomore tight end Keith Carter, who broke his hip in a motorcycle accident last April, returned to practice last week but won’t be ready for Saturday’s game.

Reserve offensive tackle Shane Lehmann could also see action at tight end.

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Reserve quarterback John Sciarra pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct-public intoxication and giving false information to a police officer during an arraignment at Harbor Superior Court in Newport Beach.

Sciarra, who was arrested on Aug. 8 and suspended for UCLA’s Sept. 13 game against Illinois, is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 30.

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Bruin quarterback Matt Moore, sidelined by a knee injury suffered in the first quarter of the season opener, will start to drop back and throw passes in practice this week, but he is not expected to return until the Washington game at the earliest.

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UCLA’s Oct. 4 game against Washington at the Rose Bowl will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports Net.... Highly touted San Diego State quarterback Adam Hall, who suffered an ankle injury in the Aztec opener, will not play against UCLA on Saturday.... UCLA has a 17-0-1 record against San Diego State.

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