By Chris Foster and Mark Medina, Los Angeles Times
UCLA freshman guard Stan Hasiak returned to the team Thursday, but Coach Rick Neuheisel said it was "unlikely" he would play Saturday at Washington State. He is not expected to travel with the team.
"He's back in good stead and we're excited that he's back," Neuheisel said after Thursday's practice.
Hasiak, one of last year's top recruits, has been involved with numerous incidents involving near fights with teammates during scrimmages. He appeared in the first two games this season, but then missed the next three. Hasiak also did not suit up against Washington last week and did not travel with the team for the Oct. 31 game against Oregon.
Neuheisel said this week Hasiak was "dealing with issues." On Thursday, he did not elaborate. "I would leave it at he's back and he's in good graces and I'm excited that he's back," the coach said.
Growing pains
The continuing development of UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince is bringing smiles to offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
Late in the first quarter against Washington, Prince dropped back to throw and found tailback Johnathan Franklin. Chow was impressed -- with an incomplete pass.
"The ball to Johnathan Franklin tells you a lot, because he was the fourth option," Chow said. "I always tell [Prince], 'If you're a good quarterback, you always know where No. 3 is, you have to be able to go to No. 3' and he went to No. 4."
Prince's fourth-quarter performance against Oregon and his first-half effort against Washington resulted in a combined 410 yards, taking advantage of teams with poor pass rushes.
Washington is No. 91 and Oregon State is 112 in sacks out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Washington State ranks 120, so good times could be ahead.
"I'm growing more and more into the reaction mode I need to be in," Prince said. "The thinking part is before the play, when you see the defense. As the play is going on, you can't be doing that. You have to react to what's there."
Quick hits
Jake Dean and Darius Savage will share time at right guard, but Dean will start, Neuheisel said. . . . Sophomore defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski will "probably" miss Saturday's game, Neuheisel said, because of a foot injury. . . . Corona High running back Jordan James verbally committed to UCLA on Thursday . He is the seventh-ranked running back nationally by Rivals.com. James, 5 feet 10 and 190 pounds, is the second high-profile back to commit to the Bruins, joining Westlake Village Oak Christian's Malcolm Jones.
