UCLA NOTEBOOK: LB'S RECRUITMENT SPLIT FAMILY.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

As the captain of the UCLA dance team, Ashley Craven usually has no problem being bubbly or enthusiastic about the Bruins. This week it's different.

Craven will be cheering loudly for the Bruins, but under her breath she'll be rooting for a Stanford linebacker to make a few plays, too - her younger brother, Michael.

Michael Craven, rated as one of the top prep linebackers in the country two years ago, was the subject of an intense recruiting battle between UCLA and Stanford. So intense it divided the family.

Michael, growing up in the desert town of La Quinta, was lured toward UCLA by the nightlife of West L.A. and his friendship with Ashley and other future Bruins of his class, Matt Ware, Tyler Ebell and Jibril Raymo.

His father, Robert, wanted him to go to Stanford.

``It was my decision and I had to keep reminding him of that,'' Michael said of his father. ``My dad loved Stanford - he had more gear than I do. Every time I'd bring up UCLA, he'd give me a dirty look. I had to make him understand he wasn't the one going to school.''

Ashley worked then in the football offices as a recruiting hostess, joining recruits on their visits. She had the job of escorting her own brother, but she couldn't close the deal.

``It was tough,'' Michael said. ``I wanted to stay home and go to school with my friends - there were some good guys I thought I could be a part of - but my dad's perseverance helped me realize that I was going to school for academics and football.

``The main thing he was trying to get me to understand is that the education I'd get at Stanford is second to none. I was looking at UCLA for a few reasons, but it wasn't for a great education even though I knew I could do that.''

Craven phoned then-Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham three days before signing day to tell him he was going to Stanford - joking at first that he was going to UCLA - but even then he wasn't sure. It wasn't until he phoned UCLA coaches on signing day that he made up his mind.

Craven redshirted last season, and in the season opener at Boston College, he returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown.

--Moore than likely: Drew Olson's separated shoulder again prevented him from doing anything more than playing catch, increasing the likelihood that fellow freshman Matt Moore will start Saturday.

--Fikse's job: Nate Fikse will take over the kicking duties from Chris Griffith this week, and he won't have a short leash, coach Bob Toledo said Thursday.

--Injury report: Tailback Manuel White's hamstring has not responded well to treatment, and Toledo said he might not return next week against Washington. White, who was hurt early in the Oregon State game, will miss his third consecutive game Saturday. Reserve cornerback Matt Clark is expected to miss at least two weeks with a broken toe.

--Kocher quits: Defensive tackle Matt Kocher, a sophomore walk-on, has quit the team. Kocher, whose older brother Ken was a four-year starter, had played occasionally this season and recovered a fumble against San Diego State.

He became discouraged after seeing freshman C.J. Niusulu move past him and into the rotation when starter Rodney Leisle was hurt last month.

``The way the season was going for me, it wasn't working out,'' Kocher said. ``I was kind of beat up and banged up, and it came to the point where I thought it was in my best interest to focus on school and get my degree.''

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MICHAEL CRAVEN

Stanford linebacker's sister is captain of the UCLA dance team.