Wilton Speight’s return to the gridiron did not go as smoothly as he would have liked.
The graduate transfer from Michigan made his debut as UCLA’s starter for the Bruins’ opener against Cincinnati at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, and he quickly had an injury scare.
During a drive in the second quarter with the Bearcats leading 14-10, Speight scrambled on a play-action pass and was tackled from behind. A defender landed on top of him, right on his back. Speight headed to the sideline while the play was reviewed for a potential fumble.
Speight was examined on the sideline and received a rub down on his back. He later headed into the locker room.
The injury brought up bad memories for Speight, whose season with Michigan came to an end last year after he cracked vertebrae on a hit against Purdue.
True freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson entered the game in Speight’s place.
