Bruins trying to get a read on roster for bowl game

As the week goes on, UCLA interim Coach Mike Johnson will have a better idea which players will be available to him for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

The Bruins’ injury list will be re-assessed and the university’s academic list will be out. Both could significantly affect the roster.

Johnson expected linebacker Patrick Larimore, who had surgery on his right thumb last week, and safety Tony Dye, who has been out because of an ankle injury, to be ready to play against Illinois on Dec. 31. Linebacker Sean Westgate, recovering from a concussion, was “up in the air.”

Safeties Alex Mascarenas (concussion) and Dietrich Riley (neck), and guard Wade Yandall (concussion) are not expected to play.

Larimore, Dye, Riley and Westgate are starters.

Johnson said he was also waiting to learn whether any players would be academically ineligible for the game. UCLA’s fall quarter ended Dec. 9.

“I’m still waiting to get a list,” Johnson said. “By the end of the week, I’ll know more about who’s going to be here and who are the potential problems.”

Johnson said there were “one or two guys who may be in question.”

Larimore, who leads the Bruins in tackles with 81, will learn Friday whether he can play.

“The doctor was pretty positive,” Larimore said.

Larimore, a team captain, tore a ligament and chipped a bone in his right thumb during training camp in August. He also has a torn ligament in his left thumb. The right thumb “got worse as the season went on,” he said. “It needed to be done.”

Bookend Bowl

How perfectly matched are UCLA and Illinois?

Both beat Arizona State. Both have hired head coaches since the regular season ended.

Illinois Coach Tim Beckman, who has a background in defense, has no ties to his new school and got the job after Boise State’s Chris Petersen said he wasn’t interested.

UCLA’s Jim Mora, who has a background in defense, has no ties to his new school and got the job after Petersen said he wasn’t interested.

Both were hired Dec. 9. And neither will coach the bowl game; Vic Koenning will direct the Illini and Johnson will lead the Bruins.

Illini homework

UCLA began preparing Monday for the Illinois game. The first order of business was making the Bruins aware of defensive end Whitney Mercilus.

Mercilus was selected a first-team All-American by the Associated Press last week. He has 14½ sacks and has forced nine fumbles.

“He’s one of those guys with great lateral movement and is quick off the ball,” Johnson said. “We have to know where he is at all times.”

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah

Johnson is expected to talk with Akron officials again this week about the Zips’ job.

Johnson, Wayne State Coach Paul Winters and Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi are the three candidates.

Quick hits

Mascarenas suffered two cuts around his left eye when he was run over watching practice Saturday. He required eight stitches. … Freshman defensive lineman Kevin McReynolds left practice with an injured left knee. … Safety Dalton Hilliard returned to contact drills after being held out the last week while recovering from a concussion. … Cornerback Sheldon Price, who sat out Saturday while resting a sore right knee, returned to practice. … Defensive end Damien Holmes sat out practice to attend to a personal matter.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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