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Moline finds himself at home in his newest role, as fullback

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Chane Moline has a job after four years at UCLA. He was doing it fairly well in practice Sunday.

The senior fullback caught a pass in the flat, turned upfield, picked up a block and covered 30 yards for a touchdown. Moments later, with the offense trying to move the ball away from its own goal line, he tangled up linebacker Kyle Bosworth, allowing Christian Ramirez to get free for a 10-yard run.

Moline is not really a fullback, but he plays one on TV on Saturdays. He made the move from tailback in the fourth game last season, after Trevor Theriot suffered a season-ending knee injury. Moline has not let go of the starting position.

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“Chane is just a good football player,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I think whenever you ask a skilled athlete, a guy who has lots of yards and catches the ball well, and ask him to go be the fullback, that’s a change in roles.”

At least it is a role. This is the first time that Moline has had a position to call his own. It’s more an off-the-rack fit, but it has worked well.

Moline has had to work on his nasty side. He beefed up to 247 pounds during the off-season and is constantly working on his blocking.

“I had to get bigger and stronger,” Moline said. “I can catch a pass and I was a tailback here, so I have pretty good ball skills. But blocking has become my main focus.”

The Bruins’ offense does not use a fullback on every play, going with an extra tight end. But Moline has the job, and knows its requirements.

“Chane understands what he’s supposed to do, deliver the hit to guys who are coming full speed, downhill in a bad mood,” Neuheisel said.

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Allmond joy

The future plan at fullback is obvious, and the future may be closer than some think.

Jayson Allmond, a 6-foot, 260-pound freshman, is already getting looks with the first and second teams. Whether Allmond will get playing time this season depends on his ability to absorb the offense.

But, “He’s a hitter rather than a hittee,” Neuheisel said. “We’re looking for hammers rather than nails on that collision.”

Or as Allmond put it: “I knock and block. I’m not used to sitting back and watching everything. But I’m a freshman and I have to wait my turn.”

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Stokes injured

Defensive end Reggie Stokes had to be helped off the field after he injured his right knee. He will undergo an MRI exam. Stokes is the second defensive lineman to be injured. Jess Ward will undergo an MRI exam today on his left knee.

Justin Mann, a redshirt freshman defensive tackle, missed practice after feeling dizzy.

Mann, a diabetic, had a blood sugar issue. Paramedics were called, but Mann was not taken to a hospital.

Strong safety Glenn Love did not participate in practice because of a bruised clavicle. An MRI taken on his right shoulder was negative.

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Recruiting watch

A handful of high-end recruits attended Sunday’s practice: defensive tackle George Uko (Chino Don Lugo), running back Anthony Barr (Los Angeles Loyola), center Derek Stickney (Placentia El Dorado), defensive end Tony Washington (Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos), defensive back Devan Spann (Gardena Serra) and wide receiver Anthony Jefferson (Los Angeles Cathedral). Uko has decided to make an official visit to UCLA. UCLA has offered a scholarship to Taft High defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, who will be a junior this fall.

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chris.foster@latimes.com

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