UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: WANTED: A PUNT RETURNER.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

The punt return competition began Tuesday at UCLA, with receivers Marcus Everett and Terrence Austin getting the majority of the work as the Bruins try to solidify that aspect of their special teams play.

The unit is under scrutiny after tailback Chris Markey and Everett both muffed punts in the Bruins' first two games, one of which led to UCLA losing the ball on its own 2-yard line.

``It's a work in progress right now,'' first-year Bruins special teams coach John Wristen said. ``We'll be fine. We're going to continue to put an emphasis on it.''

But finding a competent replacement for All-American Maurice Drew has proved difficult, so the coaching staff is using this week's bye to rectify the problem.

During the early portion of practice, Everett and Austin took turns fielding punts against oncoming defenders in an effort to simulate game conditions. It was very different from the way UCLA sought out a punt returner in training camp.

``We never did it (in training camp) with coverage coming down or anything like that, people in front of you,'' Everett said. ``We're going to work on that for now on.''

Both Austin and Everett said they needed to do the same thing to win the job.

``I need to make sure I'm sure-handed, and I gain the confidence back of my coaches,'' Everett said. ``I need to make sure I catch every one and don't drop any.''

Said Austin: ``I need to show coach (Karl) Dorrell he can trust my hands, and that I'll make great decisions out there.''

Markey and receiver Ryan Graves are also in the mix, Dorrell said, although neither fielded punts during the drill.

Trust in Cowan: Dorrell said place kicker Justin Medlock pulled up on UCLA's botched 55-yard field goal against Rice because the timing was off. Holder Patrick Cowan then tried a pass, which fell incomplete and gave the Owls the ball on their 38-yard line.

``The snap was more inside, and the ball didn't get down in the time that it normally does, so (Medlock's) rhythm was off,'' Dorrell said. ``Something like that, given that circumstance, it's better to kick through it. You may not make it, but it's better to kick through it. That's something where he has to trust the holder more.''

It is Cowan's first year as Medlock's holder.

Injury updates: Cornerback Michael Norris (knee) practiced on a limited basis and should be available for the Sept. 23 game at Washington, but the same does not appear true for receiver Joe Cowan.

Cowan remains out with a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and he has no target date for his return. He said he was still experiencing pain in the knee, but he would not need surgery. Cowan added he has not yet thought about redshirting.

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