UCLA NOTEBOOK: PERRY'S BACKUP PLAN: TO APPEAL.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

UCLA receiver Tab Perry continues to wait for the NCAA to rule on having his eligibility restored, but he has backup plans. He said if the organization denies his request, he will appeal it.

``If they say no, I'll definitely appeal,'' Perry said after practice Wednesday. ``I'll just sit out, keep practicing. (UCLA) is going to have to move one of the younger guys up; probably a freshman, like Brandon Breazell, or Chris Steck, a walk-on. He's pretty good. Get them ready and get them some reps.''

Perry and the school remain optimistic the NCAA will rule in the receiver's favor, and by the end of the week. But if the progress-toward-degree waiver is denied he will begin the long process of appeals, the first of which is heard by a progress-toward-degree committee.

``If they deny (the initial request) I can appeal, but there's a one-week minimum,'' Perry said. ``That would take me out of the first two games. ... Everyone told me I had a good case. It would be kind of messed up if they said no. I did exactly what I was supposed to do.''

The time frame for a decision is closing quickly since the Bruins open the season Saturday against Oklahoma State. Since the NCAA is closed on the weekends, a decision needs to be made by close of business Friday for Perry to play.

It was more than two weeks ago Perry was readmitted to UCLA, and he admittedly is getting antsy. But one reason the ruling could be taking so long is the number of similar requests the NCAA received last month.

According to an NCAA spokesperson, more than 350 requests dealing with academic eligibility, similar to Perry's situation, from numerous fall sports have been sent to the organization, and that number is expected to double by the end of the month. The spokesperson added the NCAA is sensitive to time frames.

``He's concerned, and you can tell as the days unfolded this week, he's getting more concerned,'' UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. ``He's done everything he can do and we've done everything we can do from our standpoint. It's in the hands of the NCAA and hopefully it will be a good ruling for us.''

``I'm optimistic Tab is going to be out there and lining up with us Saturday.''

--Niusulu's surgery: Dorrell said defensive tackle C.J. Niusulu's arthroscopic knee surgery turned out to be ``better than what was thought.''

Niusulu had torn cartilage repaired in his left knee and should miss two to three weeks.

An early target date for his return is Oct. 2 against San Diego State.

--Odds and ends: Linebacker Tim Warfield was scheduled for a CT scan on his injured knee to check for any damage to the bone. ... In addition to parking at the Rose Bowl, a shuttle will run for the Parsons Engineering parking lot in Pasadena. It costs $6 to park at the Parsons lot, and the free shuttle will run every five minutes beginning four hours before kickoff until one hour after game's end.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com