UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: CHAI TIME FOR CENTER.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

Robert Chai sized up UCLA's offensive linemen and wondered how he ended up in his current position -- not as UCLA's starting center, where he is entrenched, but as the only senior offensive lineman in the program. With that comes a huge responsibility, and one he is learning to take on.

``I need to be a role model, the leader type of guy, especially with the center position,'' Chai said. ``I need to make all the calls, make all the adjustments, so the center has to be the most knowledgeable on the offensive line. All the younger guys are looking at me, and how to play. So I'm the example.''

Bruins coach Karl Dorrell said Saturday the running game will be a focus of training camp. For UCLA to succeed, Chai must prove he can be a consistent force in the middle of the line.

After performing well as a redshirt freshman in place of the injured Mike McCloskey, Chai was expected to play a significant role at guard in 2004. Instead, he was a reserve, and last season found himself behind McCloskey again.

The results weren't great. The Bruins averaged 167.9 rushing yards and 4.7 yards per carry in McCloskey's sevenstarts, all UCLA wins. McCloskey was then injured, Chai took over and UCLA's running game suffered. The Bruins averaged 110.7 yards and 3.3 yards per carry in four games, two of which UCLA lost. Chai missed the Sun Bowl and spring practice because of a right knee injury.

But Dorrell said Chai is performing well in training camp.

``He's more seasoned. He's more assertive now because he knows what he's doing,'' Dorrell said. ``When you're a veteran, and kind of a cagey veteran, you can do things a different way because of that experience. He's done that.''

Kibble setback: Sophomore backup safety Robert Kibble suffered a relapsing episode related to multiple sclerosis and will be out of practice indefinitely.

Kibble, who was diagnosed with MS two years ago, was allowed to leave the training camp dorms and return to his apartment near campus to rest.

At the moment, this relapse isn't considered as bad as the one he experienced in February, when he was hospitalized, and then had to use a motorized scooter for transportation.

Quarterback work: A common sight last training camp was the quarterbacks working on their mechanics, particularly footwork within the pocket. That isn't the case anymore.

``I think we have less time,'' Bruins quarterback Ben Olson said. ``I don't know how they're scheduling the periods, but that's what it feels like. We still do it. We've been working a lot at throwing on the run.''

Odds and ends: Defensive end Noah Sutherland sat out the last half of the morning practice after straining a hamstring. -- After five days of working with the second team, defensive tackles Kevin Brown and Brigham Harwell worked with the first unit.

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