UCLA Football: Jim Mora Says RB Johnathan Franklin Is ‘Dinged Up’

Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

UCLA senior running back Johnathan Franklin was only involved in 18 plays and carried the ball for the Bruins just 15 times in UCLA’s 43-17 loss to California.

We may now know why.

“[Johnathan Franklin] got dinged up,” UCLA head coach Jim Mora told reporters. “[He] he was pretty limited in the number of plays he could get.”

Franklin had his carries split somewhat evenly against the Bears on Saturday night, however, carrying the ball eight times in the first half while running seven times in the second half. Franklin ran for 103 yards against Cal and had his second-lowest yardage production in both receiving and rushing, second only to his sub-100 yard effort against Oregon State two weeks ago.

Jim Mora also told reporters he would not be missing any games, but would be limited in practices this week leading up to the Bruins’ home game against the Utah Utes.

Franklin has ran the ball 108 times this season and is on pace for a career-high in carries in one season (Franklin ran the ball 214 times in 2010) as well as for a career-high in rushing yards in a single season (currently 1127 yards in 2010).

The senior is also 262 yards away from becoming UCLA’s all-time leading rusher, replacing Gaston Green, who ran for 3731 yards in his time at UCLA.