Keyes tackling his disappointment

No one felt UCLA’s dramatic come-from-ahead loss to Notre Dame last Saturday more than junior safety Dennis Keyes. He was the last defender to have a chance to tackle Jeff Samardzija before the Irish receiver scored the winning touchdown.

“It’s been a little tough for me, everybody’s seen it,” said Keyes, third on the team with 37 tackles. “I know that it was tough for me to handle letting the team down. But I have guys on the squad who’ve done a good job making sure that it’s OK and for me to move on.”

Defensive end Bruce Davis is one of the players who talked with Keyes.

“I went to Dennis and let him know that it could happen to the best of us,” Davis said. “Just wanted to let him know that we’re still here for him. I know that there were some things that I could have done so we wouldn’t have been in that situation. It’s not all Dennis’ fault. He played a solid game, the whole game ... We’re a team that wins together and loses together.”

For the Bruins, Keyes remains a starter working next to strong safety Chris Horton, but expect backup Bret Lockett to get playing time this week, according to defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker.

“Just like I challenged Rodney Van three weeks ago, I’m challenging Dennis the same way,” Walker said. “He’s bounced back this week, but I want to see it in the games. We’re going to put some heat on him by taking a look at Lockett.”

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Freshman Aleksey Lanis, UCLA’s starting offensive tackle, aggravated a right ankle injury near the end of practice Wednesday. Coach Karl Dorrell said the status of Lanis is uncertain for Saturday’s game against Washington State.... Sophomore receiver Gavin Ketchum did not practice because of a back injury. Linebacker Aaron Whittington, who has a sprained right ankle, could play against the Cougars. Backup running back Kahlil Bell, who also has an ankle injury, is not expected to play, according to Dorrell.

lonnie.white@latimes.com