Mathis May Not Stay to Watch

Every time Tyler Ebell rushes for 100 yards, Wendell Mathis feels as if he has taken another step backward.

Like Ebell, Mathis is a highly recruited Bruin redshirt freshman tailback.

Like Ebell, Mathis waited behind veterans Akil Harris and Manuel White early in the season.

Unlike Ebell, who has averaged 146 yards the last four games, Mathis has not played much.

“No doubt it’s frustrating,” he said. “The coaches always say that when you get an opportunity, make the most of it. Tyler’s done that. I just haven’t had my opportunity.”

Mathis entered the season ahead of Ebell on the depth chart. However, Ebell was impressive returning punts and got the call when Harris was ineffective and White was injured.

Now it appears the productive Ebell won’t relinquish the job -- perhaps for four years.

Mathis, a cousin of basketball assistant Gerald Madkins, is loyal to UCLA, but he would consider transferring.

“I’m going to talk to the coaches and ask where they see me fitting in,” he said. “I love it here, but I’m not going to sit around and waste the talent God gave me.”

Kelly Skipper, the Bruin offensive coordinator, said Mathis might replace Ebell on occasion in short yardage situations.

“Wendell is a strong back, a good back, and he’ll get some opportunities,” Skipper said.

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When a defense plays as well as UCLA’s has the last two years, the man primarily responsible deserves credit. And in Phil Snow’s case, he could deserve a head coaching job.

Snow, in his second season as defensive coordinator, readily acknowledges that he wants to run his own program. Someday.

“The right opportunity and situation needs to come along,” he said. “We’ve got four games, plus potentially a bowl game to go, so I’m not even going to look at that right now.”

UCLA ranks first in the Pacific 10 Conference against the pass, ninth against the run and is third in total defense.

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Nate Fikse was named Pacific 10 Conference special teams player of the week after kicking five field goals against Stanford. They were the first field goals of Fikse’s four-year career.

In addition, he averaged 43.8 yards on four punts and had five of eight kickoffs result in touchbacks.

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Coach Bob Toledo said he won’t announce whether Matt Moore or Drew Olson will start at quarterback until Saturday.