Pf Grad Anticipates Initial Ucla Start

UCLA’s Gene Waters, a former Post Falls High standout, is expected to get his first start for the Bruins against Oregon on Saturday in the Pac-10 football opener for both teams in the Rose Bowl.

“We’ll see what happens, but I’ve been running with the first team all week,” said Waters, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive right tackle. “Coach (Terry) Donahue hasn’t made it public, but I’d be real surprised (if Waters didn’t start).”

Waters, who played at Walla Walla Community College, is a junior. He played in two series as UCLA downed Brigham Young last week.

An injury to right guard Matt Soenksen has prompted Donahue to move tackle Chad Overhauser to guard and put Waters in at tackle.

“They’re a fast defense,” Waters said of Oregon. “You can take the fastest play in JC and multiply it by five and that’s an average play in the Pac-10.”

Brennan in charge

Sophomore Brian Brennan will be Idaho’s starting quarterback against Sonoma State on Saturday.

Brennan took over as No. 1 earlier this week and held onto the position with a solid week of practice, coach Chris Tormey said.

“Brian’s arm is starting to come around, he’s been more accurate and he’s standing in there waiting for receivers to come open,” Tormey said. “There’s a good chance you’ll see (quarterback) Eric (Hisaw) sometime in the first half. We’ve got a plan, but we’re somewhat flexible.”

Allen lands with Jets

Former Idaho receiver Alan Allen has been signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad.

Suns replace Hungarians

The Townsville Suns, a men’s basketball team in Australia’s pro league, has replaced a Hungarian squad on the schedules of many area colleges this winter.

The Suns will play Eastern Washington, North Idaho College, Gonzaga, Idaho and Washington State, among others, in November.

Danone Honved, which won a pro league title in Hungary last year, had to pull out because it has qualified for a prestigious tournament.

“The Hungarians were probably bigger, but the Australians are probably better defensively and better inside,” said Nels Hawkinson, director of Basketball Travelers, which organizes tours of foreign clubs.

“The biggest concern most of the (U.S.) coaches have is they want a good game and they don’t want the dates to change. So this should work out.”

Hawkinson said three Americans play for Townsville, including Glenn Stump, formerly of Seattle Pacific.

Townsville played many area schools last year, compiling a 1-9 record, including losses to Idaho by three and Washington State by five.

Townsville’s schedule: Nov. 6 vs. Alaska-Anchorage, Nov. 7 vs. Alaska AAU, Nov. 9 vs. Eastern Washington, Nov. 11 vs. North Idaho College, Nov. 12 vs. Gonzaga, Nov. 13 vs. Idaho, Nov. 15 vs. Washington State, Nov. 16 vs. Oregon State, Nov. 18 vs. Oregon, Nov. 19 vs. Portland, and Nov. 20 vs. Washington.

Janke a Card

North Idaho College wrestling coach John Owen has landed a late recruit who should be familiar to most local high school fans.

Mark Janke, a two-time Washington Class AAA champion from Moses Lake, arrived at NIC in time for fall semester, Owen said.

The 158-pound Janke was a threetime winner of the prestigious TriState high school tournament hosted by NIC. Twice, he was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.

He attended the University of Oklahoma two years ago and wrestled one semester before an injury ended his season, Owen said.

Janke didn’t attend college last year. He will be a sophomore at NIC.

, DataTimes