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Linebacker Spencer Havner will not play in the Las Vegas Bowl after undergoing arthroscopic surge

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As the Bruins prepare for their upcoming Las Vegas Bowl game against Wyoming, they will have to do without the help of linebacker Spencer Havner. The junior linebacker underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Redshirt senior Ben Lorier will serve as Havner’s replacement, with freshman Fred Holmes backing him up. “You’re always going to miss your lead tackler,” UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. “But the time that Spencer got hurt, Ben Lorier played, and played well. He’s got six or seven practices to get ready to for the game and we think he will do a good job for us.” Havner was the leading tackler in the Pac-10 conference this season and was also named a second-team All-American. He finished the regular season second in the nation in solo tackles with 7.64 a game and tied for seventh in total tackles, averaging 11.35 per game. But despite the big shoes he must fill, Lorier says he’s ready to step in. “I’m excited, I got to start three games early in the season and now I get to start again,” Lorier said. “I have really fond memories of that bowl game last time and hopefully it should be fun again.”

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: Senior receivers Tab Perry, Craig Bragg and running back Manuel White were invited to the East-West Shrine Senior game, to be held on Jan. 15 in San Francisco. Punter Chris Kluwe was invited to the Villages Gridiron Classic in Orlando.

ODDS AND ENDS: Fullback Pat Norton did not practice Saturday and was in a walking boot. Because of finals this week, the team will only practice today and Tuesday and will not practice again until Saturday.