UCLA NOTEBOOK: SMITH HOBBLING.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

If Ryan Smith, a valuable possession receiver last season, doesn't look like the same player, it's because he isn't.

Smith, who has caught five passes this season and none in the past three games, hasn't recovered from last year's ankle injury. He didn't practice Wednesday and was going to see a foot specialist afterward not only to determine whether he'd make the trip to Washington, but whether he'd continue to play this season.

After playing with a badly sprained right ankle last season - he walked to class on crutches during the week and took pain-killing shots to play - Smith had surgery in the offseason to clean out scar tissue.

However, the ankle, which he tapes under and over his shoe for each practice, remains painful.

``It's obvious I'm not where I was at,'' said Smith, who had 18 catches for a 15.1-yard average last season. ``My confidence is not where it was at, either. It's been real frustrating.

``I always feel it. My straight-line speed isn't affected that much, but I feel it every step, and my routes aren't as good. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't want to practice if it feels like this. It's not getting me anywhere.''

--QB derby: After the two most thorough days of practice, coach Bob Toledo isn't any closer to settling on a starting quarterback between freshmen Matt Moore and Drew Olson.

Olson, who has more experience and a better command of the offense, hasn't thrown the ball with same zip or fluidity he did before suffering a separated shoulder two weeks ago.

``His arm and shoulder are still bothering him,'' Toledo acknowledged. ``Right now, you can flip a coin. They're both really close.''

Toledo said he'll inform both quarterbacks who will start at the team meeting Friday night, but he expects both to play.

--Harris focused: It's been a nightmarish season for Akil Harris, who began the year as the starting tailback before losing his job to Manuel White and Tyler Ebell. Then, after fumbling problems, he relinquished his short-yardage and pass-blocking duties, too.

But the junior, who has been relegated to special-teams play, hasn't lost his perpetually sunny disposition.

``I just have to up my game and be a team player,'' said Harris, who has carried just seven times for 26 yards since losing his job to Ebell three weeks ago. ``In the beginning, it was hard to swallow. I had high expectations. I have to stay focused and do what the coaches want me to do. The main thing is to help the team any way I can.''

--Fright night: In light of UCLA's off-the-field troubles, one of the senior leaders, cornerback Ricky Manning, addressed the team this week about taking it easy tonight on Halloween.

``I just wanted to remind everybody that we've got a big game,'' Manning said.

--New turf: The chewed-up turf at Spaulding Field will begin to be torn up this morning so new sod can be laid in time for the team to return to practice Monday.

The Bruins have a light practice Thursday, so the east side will be ripped up, with the rest of it being done after practice. Coaches have complained about the condition of the turf, which they believe has contributed to at least two players' twisted ankles.

--No reunion: Cory Paus attended practice for the first time since undergoing surgery last week on his broken right ankle, but he won't attend Saturday's game at Washington, where his brother Casey - a redshirt freshman - is the third-string quarterback.

--Injury report: Toledo expected safety Jibril Raymo to play Saturday, but the shoulder injury Raymo suffered against Cal hasn't allowed him to practice. He is hoping to play against Arizona.

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BOB TOLEDO

UCLA coach hasn't decided whether Matt Moore or Drew Olson will start against Washington.