COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : Williams Still Not the No. 1 Tailback

Even though Kevin Williams is clearly UCLA’s most productive running back, Coach Terry Donahue isn’t ready to designate him as the starting tailback.

Williams has gained 166 yards in 20 carries for an 8.3-yard average, and scored one touchdown on a 74-yard screen pass.

“I’m not ready to say he’s first string,” Donahue said. “He has to be there when the game is on the line. He has to be tough and durable and he’s making some strides.”

Donahue said Williams didn’t play in the fourth quarter of the 30-16 loss to Tennessee on Sept. 14 because of leg and back cramps.

So, for now, Williams will share the tailback job with Ricky Davis and Shawn Wills.

Chad LaRose, a redshirt freshman, is designated as UCLA’s punt-return specialist, but he has yet to return a punt, opting for fair catches.

“I wanted to get him off to a good, positive start, to catch the ball and settle into the position,” Donahue said. “In the first two games, we didn’t call for any returns. But we’re ready to do some punt returning the rest of the season.”