Bruins May Need to Remain Grounded

Chris Markey is averaging nearly 100 yards rushing a game, and last Saturday against Oregon he averaged 7.0 yards a carry in the first half.

But the Bruins fell behind early and chose to go away from their ground attack after that in a 30-20 loss to the Ducks.

Saturday at Notre Dame, the Bruins probably will try to establish their running game early on again because the Fighting Irish have been susceptible, giving up an average of 134.8 yards a game.

“I know a lot of people are comparing us against last year’s team and how explosive we were, but they have to realize that this is a new team and we have to make our own identity,” Markey said. “We just have to go out and execute the way we practice.”

UCLA has failed to gain more than 300 yards in either of its last two games, but Coach Karl Dorrell said the Bruins would aggressively test the Irish defense.

“We want to make sure that we don’t leave any of our plan not used,” Dorrell said. “We want to go out there and play and give our guys their best chance to make some plays so we can put some points on the board.”

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Freshman wide receiver Terrence Austin did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play Saturday. Marcus Everett and Ryan Graves will return punts in place of Austin, who initially suffered his injury against Arizona on Oct. 7.

Graves has not returned a punt this year. Everett has fielded only one -- a fumble against Rice that went for an 11-yard loss.

“[Graves] will be a guy ready to go,” Dorrell said. “Marcus has really worked on his technique and looks really, really good catching the ball too. So I feel real confident about both of those guys.”

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The talk of the town in South Bend, Ind., this week hasn’t been the UCLA game, it’s who will be the Irish quarterback when Brady Quinn leaves after this season.

Freshmen Demetrius Jones and Zach Frazer, along with current backup Evan Sharpley, a sophomore, are expected back next season. But the fan favorite may be incoming freshman Jimmy Clausen of Westlake Village Oaks Christian.

“It’s going to be an interesting spring,” Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis said. “We’ll worry about the spring after this season’s over. Right now, we’re just trying to beat UCLA.”

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UCLA middle linebacker Christian Taylor, who has been hampered because of an ankle injury, will play against Notre Dame. UCLA practiced at Spaulding Field on Thursday morning before leaving for South Bend, where they will practice today.