Aaron Hester News

As USC is mired in its worst season in recent memory, UCLA could be forgiven for paying more than a little attention to its crosstown rival.

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince is ready for his next big test, and the Arizona State Sun Devils are going to provide it Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

As the regular season draws to a close and only two games standing between UCLA and a December date with destiny, head coach Rick Neuheisel has one eye on Arizona State, one eye on USC and one eye on the Pacific-10 Conference standings.

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince practiced on Tuesday looking as alert as ever but regardless of what he's able to accomplish on the practice field this week, he won't get to play Saturday at Washington State without permission from the team's doctors.

As redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince's confidence grows by the play, something else is growing around him: the pocket.

LOOKING GOOD: UCLA has new hope of having a big-play receiver on the outside. That would be 6-foot-5 sophomore Nelson Rosario, who had seven catches for 111 yards against Washington.

UCLA has played eight games this season and still the Bruins are looking for a tailback to take some of the load off Johnathan Franklin .

Focus doesn't get any simpler than this. "We've talked about going 9-3, which is good; 8-4, which is all right; 7-5, which is not bad.

If Kevin Prince plays like he practices, the UCLA quarterback and the offense could be much improved against Washington on Saturday.

Even the relentlessly positive around the UCLA football program were tested Wednesday.

UCLA was practicing with a couple of 10s on the field Tuesday. Black quarterback jerseys bearing that number were visible on two players as the Bruins' scout team did its work to prepare the regulars for Saturday's game at the Rose Bowl.

So will Bullough bring the heat early on? Browse more photos>> Let's start this game week by accentuating the positive which is keeping the focus on Kevin Prince and UCLA offense.

This was either a coming-of-age moment for UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince or a spasm out of necessity.

The pain in Aaron Hester's eyes was evident the very first practice after he fractured his leg in UCLA's Week 1 victory over San Diego State.

With their team reeling from four straight losses, UCLA coaches and quarterbacks did their best to quell any inkling of a QB controversy at practice Tuesday.

One day after UCLA's fourth consecutive loss, Coach Rick Neuheisel said the coaching staff would need to evaluate the quarterback situation.

UCLA cornerback Aaron Hester finally got the reps he was looking for. Upset for not getting any the previous day, Hester spent part of Wednesday's practice session working against the scout team during seven-on-seven drills and with the regular defense.

Can UCLA contain Arizona and pass-happy QB Nick Foles? The Bruins defense allowed five touchdowns in last week's loss to Cal, all of them on big plays: 93-yard and 42-yard runs, and receptions for 51, 43 and 24 yards.

UCLA's defense has spent much of the last three Saturdays chasing around opposing running backs and not catching them.

UCLA cornerback Aaron Hester still was standing on the sideline this week at practice, and he wasn't too pleased about it.