UCLA opens its Pac-12 campaign on Thursday against Utah. Kickoff is at 10 p.m. ET. Listen to the live radio broadcast HERE.
Thursday will be the debut of UCLA running back Damien Thigpen, the Associated Press reports. Thigpen looked promising last season until suffering a torn ligament in his knee. After participating in three weeks of full-contact practice, UCLA coach Jim Mora believes Thigpen is ready to return to the field.
"It's a definite - he's going to play," Mora said, via Yahoo! Sports. "Not that you want to get your running back hit, but when you're coming off an injury like that it's important that you take some shots. I think it builds confidence when you do."
UCLA may face a nice problem to have: splitting carries between two talented running backs. Jordon James is ranked fifth in the nation and is averaging 141.3 rushing yards per game. UCLA also has depth at the position with running backs Paul Perkins, Malcolm Jones and Steven Manfro.
"It's hard because we have some really good backs, but I think it's important that we get Damien some carries," said Mora.
With the return of Thigpen, UCLA's No. 2 nationally ranked offense becomes even more explosive.
Utah, meanwhile, hopes for a repeat performance from quarterback Travis Wilson, who completed 24-of-35 passes for 273 yards and a pair of touchdowns against BYU and netted the Pac-12 offensive player of the week award.
"Travis had another great game," Utah receiver Dres Anderson told reporters. "He got hit a couple times, but he did his thing. Thank goodness he's healthy and we're progressing."
