Nothing Official Yet, But...
Los Angeles Times photo
Thanks to Renee for sending along this story from the Press-Enterprise, too (also posted in the comments section).
This is the only home game that I will miss this year, because it's the same night as Beth's high school class reunion, but at least Sid and Sam will be there. We'll catch the first half on TV somewhere before heading over to the reunion.
Los Angeles Times photo
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Sid, there was an article in today's Riverside Press Enterprise about Richard. I've posted it below for you.
Brehaut is Bruins' Plan B
QUARTERBACK: The freshman from Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos will replace the injured Prince.
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11:19 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 15, 2009
By JEFF EISENBERG
The Press-Enterprise
LOS ANGELES - If the likelihood that he will make his first career start on Saturday is at all unnerving for Richard Brehaut, perhaps the true freshman can draw inspiration from the legendary former UCLA quarterback who watched him practice on Tuesday.
Cade McNown made his college debut as a true freshman in 1995 against a star-studded Miami defense that knocked starter Ryan Fien woozy early in the second quarter. McNown completed his only two passes before Fien returned, the precursor to him winning the job for good a few weeks later and maintaining a stranglehold on it the rest of his career.
"I'd just watched Miami play for the national title from my friend's couch the year before, and here I am Saturday night actually playing against them," McNown recalled. "I think the best thing Coach (Terry) Donahue did when I went in for the injured quarterback was that he didn't give me a pep talk. He just said, 'All right, you're in.' "
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Terry Pierson / The Press-Enterprise
Richard Brehaut (above), on UCLA legend Cade McNown: "I'm going to try to resemble him in any way I can."
Officially, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he hasn't decided whether Brehaut or fifth-year senior Kevin Craft will replace injured starter Kevin Prince for Saturday's game against Kansas State, but Brehaut's mother and his former high school offensive coordinator said Tuesday he has already been informed he will start.
Rushing Brehaut onto the field so quickly isn't the ideal situation, but UCLA had little choice but to turn to Plan B when Prince learned he'll miss three to four weeks after fracturing his jaw Saturday against Tennessee. The former Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos star started getting himself mentally prepared late Saturday night for increased playing time against Kansas State.
"Kevin came up to me and said start getting yourself mentally prepared because I think my injury might be a little worse than we first thought," Brehaut said. "That was the first idea I had I might be playing this week."
Both Craft and Brehaut took snaps with the first-team offense during Tuesday's practice, neither doing anything to distinguish himself. Asked why he wasn't ready to name a starter afterward, Neuheisel reiterated he wants to evaluate them further and that it would not surprise him if both played against Kansas State.
"We want to continue to watch them play," Neuheisel said. "There's nothing like some good, friendly, healthy competition. That's good for all positions, not just the other guys on the team."
It doesn't bother Brehaut that Neuheisel isn't ready to publicly proclaim a starter because he said he'd prepare the same way whether he was going to begin the game or be the backup. He already has some experience, going 2 for 2 for 39 yards in mop-up duty late in the season opener against San Diego State.
Brehaut has some inherent advantages over a true freshman such as McNown because he enrolled at UCLA early and participated in spring practice. He lost to Prince in the competition to become starter, but gained valuable reps and increased knowledge of the playbook.
"Cade came in here and started as a freshman, and I'm going to try to resemble him in any way I can," Brehaut said. "He went out there and beat USC four times and had great teams. As long as I can be somewhat Cade-like, I think I'll be OK."
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