UCLA QB Prince out 3-4 weeks with broken jaw

[IE]

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince will be out three to four weeks after his jaw was broken late in the Bruins? victory at Tennessee.

Prince is a freshman who has led the Bruins (2-0) to season-opening victories over San Diego State and the Volunteers. He was 11 for 23 for 101 yards with one touchdown pass and no interceptions in UCLA?s 19-15 win Saturday.

Prince was hurt when Dennis Rogan sacked him for a safety with 1:41 to play, shortly after UCLA?s defense stopped Tennessee at the 1. The tackle left him with a bloody mouth, but Prince returned to kneel on the ball for the final two snaps to secure the win.

X-rays in Los Angeles on Sunday confirmed Prince?s injury. His jaw will be wired shut while it heals.

?This is a tough blow for Kevin and our football team,? UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said in a statement. ?We hope Kevin recovers quickly, but we have other talented quarterbacks in our program.?

UCLA plays Kansas State this Saturday.

Neuheisel didn?t immediately say who would replace Prince, but he has two prime candidates.

Kevin Craft, the Bruins? starter last season, lost his job to Prince this year, while freshman Richard Brehaut enrolled at UCLA last spring to get a jump on learning the job. Brehaut played in the Bruins? win over San Diego State, completing both of his passes for 39 yards.

Prince is 29 of 52 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions this season.

UCLA hosts the Wildcats at the Rose Bowl this weekend then has a bye a week after that.

The Bruins begin their Pac-10 schedule at Stanford on Oct. 3, with their biggest test looming in a home game against Oregon four weeks after Prince?s injury.

 

[#cruncher]

I still haven't figured out why they just didn't take a safety in the first place...as it seemed they didn't really try to get a first down on that play anyway. Being up by 4, it would take a TD to beat them anyway (not having to worry about a fieldgoal) and I would much rather be punting from my own 20 than the back of the endzone. The way I see it they were just lucky they ended up getting the safety anyway...although they might have spared the kid his jaw if they would have done it the other way...not to mention a possible fumble in the endzone.

 

[Skipper]

I felt they should have put him in the shotgun and roll out and if no one was open, to just step out of the back of the end zone. They had nothing to lose that way. Costly mistake imo, but my Vols made many more. The kid seems real tough and had the balls that you need from a young QB.

 

[baby johnson]

ucla is the real deal this year

 

[#cruncher]

I felt they should have put him in the shotgun and roll out and if no one was open, to just step out of the back of the end zone. They had nothing to lose that way. Costly mistake imo, but my Vols made many more. The kid seems real tough and had the balls that you need from a young QB.

That would have been the smartest move Skip...no chance for a fumble.