UCLA’s Kai Forbath might not play against Kansas State

It appears that UCLA will have quarterback Kevin Prince available for Saturday’s game at Kansas State. Now the Bruins must see about their most effective offensive player from last season.

Senior kicker Kai Forbath, battling a leg injury, had a tee time set for Wednesday, but had to take a mulligan. Forbath, the 2009 Lou Groza Trophy winner, has kicked little the last two weeks.

“I warmed up [Wednesday] and it felt good running around,” Forbath said. “But I took a few swings and felt it a little bit. We didn’t want to risk it.”

Forbath, who passed on entering the NFL draft last winter, led the team with 108 points. He was 28 for 31 on field-goal tries in 2009 and has made 37 consecutive tries from under 50 yards.

Forbath underwent an MRI exam Tuesday. Asked whether there was a torn muscle in the leg, he said, “There are mixed diagnoses from different doctors.” But both Forbath and Prince underwent a platelet-rich plasma treatment Thursday. Prince is recovering from a small tear in a back muscle.

Punter Jeff Locke will handle the field-goal and extra-point duties if Forbath is unable to kick Saturday. That required adjustments by holder Danny Rees, as Locke kicks with his left foot.

“Really, it’s just the thought planning,” Locke said. “We have a certain range that we want to be in for kicks. It’s a matter of getting in a groove and being successful in that range consistently. [Long snapper Christian] Yount, Danny and I just need to get the rhythm down and holds right.”

Forbath said he hoped to kick Thursday, but, “no one wants me to push it and be out longer.”

Prince improves

The big test for Prince’s back Wednesday was when he rolled to his left and threw down field.

“That was something I haven’t done in a while and there was no pain,” Prince said.

Prince’s accuracy was better during practice, but whether he will start against Kansas State remains a game-time decision, Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

There is a strong chance that both Prince and Richard Brehaut will play against the Wildcats.

“I’m starting to get back into the flow of things,” Prince said. “But I was out two weeks and have only been back three days. Richard has been in there doing a good job.”

Quick hits

Offensive lineman Stanley Hasiak, who is academically ineligible this season, bypassed practice to attend an appeal to allow him back in school. He is expected at practice Thursday. … Guard Jeff Baca underwent an MRI exam on his right leg this week, which showed the stress fracture has healed. Although he is academically ineligible for the season, he said he will return to participate on the scout team next month.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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