Two Freshmen Have Caught On

For the first two weeks of the season, UCLA freshman wide receivers Marcus Everett and Brandon Breazell weren’t getting many practice snaps with the first team. With upperclassmen Craig Bragg, Junior Taylor and Tab Perry getting most of the work, the two freshmen spent a lot of time watching.

But that’s not the case anymore, with Bragg out at least another week because of a shoulder injury. Everett and Breazell will be counted on to play big roles for the second game in a row, when the Bruins play Arizona on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

“They are finally at the stage where they are not thinking, just reacting,” receiver coach Dino Babers said. “They have digested enough of the offense so they can move around and have success.... They both have done a great job in the classroom trying to gobble up as much information as they can.”

In last week’s victory over San Diego State, Breazell started at flanker because of Perry’s tender hamstring but did not catch a pass. Everett came off the bench to make two catches for 49 yards, including one highlight grab in the second half.

“I didn’t think that I could get to it at first,” Everett said of his diving 16-yard catch in the fourth quarter. “The pass was real low and way outside. I just dove for it and put out my hands. I knew I caught it, but I wasn’t sure because it was real quiet. I held up the ball and then I heard the crowd.”

Taylor said the freshman receivers must make those plays now that they are a part of the offense.

“They have to step up another notch,” Taylor said. “They’re rookies but they can’t play like rookies, and Everett displayed that on Saturday.”

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Running back Chris Markey is another freshman who has gotten more playing time in recent weeks.

Markey had one carry for 12 yards and a kickoff return for 26 against the Aztecs. On Saturday, Markey is expected to get more opportunities to return kickoffs.

“I haven’t been getting on the field too much, so I’m glad to get in there to do what I can,” said Markey, who rushed for 2,837 yards and 46 touchdowns as a senior last year at Jesuit High in New Orleans. “Before the season began, I wasn’t sure if I would get a chance to play too much, but I’m glad to be getting [more chances] now. When I first got in, I was so nervous, but now, I’m ready to go.”

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Coach Karl Dorrell said freshman defensive tackle Kenneth Lombard will not play Saturday because of a shoulder injury. Linebackers Justin London (ankle) and Aaron Whittington (hip) practiced Wednesday after sitting out most of the last two games because of injuries.