Cabrera Questionable Despite Return

Oscar Cabrera, UCLA’s starting left guard, has returned to practice but is still being listed as questionable for the Washington State game.

James Ghezzi is still being listed as versatile.

Ghezzi came to UCLA without having played anything but tackle in a college game, played some guard for the first time Sept. 19 at Houston and now may move into the starting lineup at that spot Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

“He gives us a sixth man,� Bob Toledo, a football coach using a basketball analogy, said of Ghezzi.

Ghezzi, a junior, started his college career at Villanova before transferring back home, to Glendale College. He was told he would battle Brian Polak for the job at right tackle, which seemed reasonable because star Kris Farris was at left tackle.

Then he filled in for a practice at center.

Then he filled in for a game--Houston--at guard.

Now, he may start at a position he had never played in a game before 10 days ago.

“I really appreciate how they feel about me,� Ghezzi said. “It’s great that in a pinch, they know they can call on me. I love being that.�

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After considering a switch to Paul Mencke, Washington State Coach Mike Price has decided to stay with incumbent Steve Birnbaum at quarterback against UCLA. . . . Hoping to boost attendance at home games, UCLA is offering free busing from campus to the Rose Bowl for students who have bought tickets by the Thursday before each game, with passes for the ride to be picked up by 5 p.m. Thursday at the central ticket office on campus. The deadline is so administrators can arrange the proper amount of transportation.

Next Up for UCLA

Who: Washington State

Where: Rose Bowl

When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7

Radio: AM 1150