UCLA Could Better Shield Its Quarterback : College football: Maddox sits out spring scrimmages to avoid injury, but will need ground game to protect him during season.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of UCLA spring football practice that concluded Saturday is that quarterback Tommy Maddox wasn’t injured during the 15-day session.

And for good reason.

Maddox, a sophomore, didn’t participate in any contact scrimmages as a precautionary measure.

“The team just can’t afford to lose Maddox,” UCLA Coach Terry Donahue said. “I think he’s a better player now than he was last fall. He’s matured physically and emotionally and has gotten stronger in the weight room.”

Donahue said jokingly that there was some fallout in his protecting Maddox.

“Troy Aikman called and asked me why he had to scrimmage when he was here and Maddox doesn’t have to,” Donahue said.

Maddox, who became the team’s starting quarterback three games into the 1990 season, was a first-team freshman All-American and set several Pacific 10 freshman passing records.

If, however, Maddox is to be even more effective next season, a tailback must emerge to provide the Bruins with a balanced attack.

“We have to develop a better running game to take the pressure off Maddox, who is clearly our most gifted offensive player,” Donahue said.

Ricky Davis, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound sophomore tailback from Houston, made major strides in securing the position this spring.

Donahue said Davis has improved in every aspect of the game. “If we were to play today, we would start Davis, with Shawn Wills playing a whole lot,” Donahue said.

Wills and backup quarterback Jim Bonds missed part of spring practice while playing on the baseball team.

Kevin Williams, projected to be UCLA’s starting tailback last year, was inactive most of the season because of various injuries.

Then, he suffered an ankle injury three days into spring practice and didn’t participate again.

Donahue is cautious when he talks about Williams, who came to UCLA from Spring, Tex., with glowing prep credentials.

“We hope he gets well and returns to the team,” Donahue said succinctly.

The fullback position is apparently stable with the return of Kevin Smith, Maury Toy and Kaleaph Carter. Wills also will be used at the position.

Even though UCLA has lost accomplished wide receivers Scott Miller and Reggie Moore, Donahue is not overly concerned about the position, identifying Sean La Chapelle as a “marvelous receiver.”

Asked to evaluate a team that is coming off two losing seasons, Donahue said: “I think we’re closer to being a good football team once again than we were two years ago and probably last year. But we aren’t out of the woods.”

UCLA Notes

Offensive guard Marc Wilder was the only player seriously injured in spring practice. He has a knee injury, and it hasn’t been determined whether he will undergo surgery. . . . Players who missed spring practice because of injuries, or surgery, include defensive end Mike Chalenski, wide receiver Bryan Adams, freshman nose guard Sale Isaia, cornerback Al Jordan, offensive linemen Brian Jacobs (automobile accident), John Zilinskas, Ryan Motherway and Jeff Bailey, and linebacker Carrick O’Quinn. Coach Terry Donahue also excused linebacker Meech Shaw.

Donahue is concerned about depth in his offensive line. Asked what pleased him most about spring practice, Donahue said it was the emergence of some young defensive players. He identified linebackers Andrew McClave, Rod Smalley, Brian Tighe and Shane Jasper, all redshirt freshmen. . . . Donahue said the most disappointing factor was the number of players who missed practice because of injuries, or other reasons. Donahue has two inexperienced kickers and said that Brian Steger has a slight edge over Dominic Sandifer. Their accuracy will be tested because goal posts have been narrowed by a new NCAA rule.

With Tommy Maddox being withheld from scrimmages and Jim Bonds playing baseball, redshirt freshman quarterback Wayne Cook practiced extensively. “He has some talent. He has a nice arm and he’s tough. He’s a good young player,” Donahue said.