UCLA's Kia lost for season with knee injury
UCLA lost guard Micah Kia, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during practice Wednesday and will undergo surgery.
The loss of Kia costs the Bruins an experienced offensive lineman, one who had started 15 games in his three-year UCLA career. Kia and freshman Stanley Hasiak had both worked at left guard with the first team during practice this week. The plan had been for them to share the job during the season.
Hasiak was with the first team Thursday. Brandon Bennett played left guard on the second team.
Kia is the second offensive lineman the Bruins have lost during training camp. Nick Ekbatani, the backup center, suffered a sprained knee and is out four to six weeks. Kai Maiava, the first-team center, sat out the end of practice Wednesday with a sore shoulder and was not participating in contact drills today.
Kia will have surgery on the knee once the swelling has subsided.
In other injury news, starting defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski is out with a strained back and was said to be day to day.
-- Chris Foster
Photo: UCLA offensive lineman Micah Kia, center, takes part in a team practice on April 24, 2008. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
