UCLA football: Wide receiver Terrence Austin tutors others
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UCLA’s Terrence Austin, just days into his 21st year, is feeling like an old man. There are sophomores and freshmen receivers around him, all seeming to seek his advice.
That’s fine with him.
“I’ve been labeled as team captain, so I have to make sure I help everybody out,” said Austin, a senior.
The Bruins’ young receivers don’t have to ask twice. Freshmen Randall Carroll and Ricky Marvray pick Austin’s brain. Antwon Moutra is his roommate and, Austin says, “We stay up late at night talking about being receivers.”
As role models go, Austin is an A-lister. He led the team with 53 receptions in 2008, and will look to become the first receiver to have back-to-back 50-catch seasons since Craig Bragg in 2002-003. He also set a UCLA record with 1,109 kickoff return yards in 2008 -- though it is a less-than-positive stat as it shows how many times the Bruins received kickoffs after opponents scored.
But the added advantage to Austin is the experience he hands down.
“He’s an experienced guy who has been through the wars,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. “He knows how to handle the dips. Anybody can handle the good times. It’s the dips you have to learn to deal with.
“You don’t always see a senior do that. They are sometimes into themselves, trying to get to the next level.”
Austin enjoys the responsibility.
“The guys have questions and I want to give them the answers,” Austin said. “That’s what you do when you’ve been here so long.”
Other practice notes:
-- With Mike Harris settled in at right tackle and left guard Stanley Hasiak’s sore shoulder improving, sophomore Jeff Baca is being made into an uber-lineman. Baca works out at guard and tackle and will be used off the bench at both season.
-- Starting fullback Chane Moline (hip flexor) returned to practice, though the Bruins did only light contact drills. Gavin Ketchum (hamstring) did not practice.
-- Coach Rick Neuheisel said that the team has installed “about 50%” of the game plan for San Diego State, adding, “You don’t want to put things in too early; it gets stale.”
-- Neuheisel canceled Friday’s scrimmage at the Rose Bowl because of the heat and fires. The Bruins will scrimmage at UCLA instead and then take Saturday and Sunday off.
-- Defensive tackle Jess Ward (sprained knee) did some running during practice, with the hope that he will be able to return for the Sept. 12 game at Tennessee.
-- Chris Foster