Kevin Prince is cleared to practice

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince was cleared to resume practice today after going through tests.

Prince, who suffered a concussion against Washington, went through an exertion test Monday morning and then was cleared by a team doctor to lift weights and practice. Barring a setback, he will start Saturday against Washington State.

“I rode the bike for 30 minutes and did some up-downs,” Prince said. “The training staff asked how I was feeling and I said I felt normal. There will be various tests through Thursday.”

Prince was injured while scrambling in the Bruins’ 24-23 victory over Washington. He gained eight yards, but took a helmet-to-helmet hit from linebacker Donald Butler in the second quarter. He sat out the remainder of the game, though he returned to the UCLA sideline after halftime.

Prince said he was fine by Sunday morning.

“I woke up without a headache and felt normal as usual,” Prince said. “My neck was a little sore, but my neck is usually sore after the game.”

Coming of age

Before he was injured, Prince completed 13 of 17 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s starting to really understand and get it,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “You watch the tape and you can see him rhythmically go from the first to second to third read. That’s what separates you from the next guy.”

Saturday’s performance followed a strong effort by Prince in the fourth quarter against Oregon State, when he completed nine of 13 passes for 198 yards.

The Washington game, though, was different.

“It came at the start of the game,” Prince said. “Oregon State was more desperation, heaving the ball and all. This was more under control. It felt like we had a good grasp on what we’re trying to do.”

Chin up

A difficult two seasons for senior defensive end Chinonso Anyanwu seems headed toward a happy ending.

Anyanwu, out all season after hip surgery, will be back at practice today.

“It’s my hope to get him in a game,” Neuheisel said. “I mentioned it to the team that Chinny has been cleared. It’s great to have a player who thinks that it is so important to finish with his team to be out there.”

Anyanwu’s career has had rough patches. He sat out three games last season after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which affects the digestive system. He returned in time to play against USC in the season finale, but then needed hip surgery in July.

“Last year, I could have ended my season early with the Crohn’s thing, but I gained the weight back and played the last game against USC,” said Anyanwu, who will graduate in the spring with a degree in sociology. “Things haven’t gone my way, but I’m not going to quit. I’m going to make whatever impact I can.”

Quick hits

Guard Ryan Taylor (foot) is doubtful for Saturday. Nick Ekbatani and Darius Savage are expected to work at right guard this week. . . . Defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski (foot) will “be back in some capacity this week,” Neuheisel said. . . . Cornerback Aaron Hester (leg) and wide receiver Randall Carroll (groin) are expected back at practice this week. . . . UCLA’s game against Arizona State at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 21 will start at 1 p.m.

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