Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended for the season after punching a Boise State player in the wake of the season opener, has been allowed to rejoin the Ducks.

The university requested Blount's reinstatement, which was approved by Pacific-10 Conference commissioner Larry Scott yesterday.

Blount will be able to play for the No. 14 Ducks on Saturday night when they host Arizona State. He missed eight games.

Blount issued a statement saying he was grateful to Oregon coach Chip Kelly for giving him a second chance.

"Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise," he said.

Blount punched Byron Hout following the nationally televised opener, bringing the Broncos' defensive end to his knees. The next day he was suspended for the season by Kelly, but he was allowed to keep his scholarship and practice with the team.

"We have tremendous respect for Oregon. Those coaches, we know most of those guys very well," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "And so, whatever they decide we're 100 percent behind. I think that's good for all involved if that's what they chose to do."

Kelly later said that if Blount met certain academic and behavioral conditions, he would be allowed to return.

Blount rushed for 1,002 yards last season. Redshirt freshman LaMichael James emerged as Oregon's starter in his absence.

MICHIGAN

AD HAS RUN-INS

Michigan athletic director Bill Martin pushed a student and grabbed the wind breaker of another student during two football games, according to a department of public safety report.

Michigan student Jackie Turner says she told Martin he needed a pass to enter the regents guest area of the press box Sept. 12 during a game against Notre Dame. She said he pushed her shoulder and walked past her.

"Honey, I am the athletic director," Turner quoted him as saying, according to a university report on the incident.

On Oct. 17, Eastern Michigan student Arif Khan said he told Martin and a female companion they needed passes to enter the area after a game against Delaware State. Khan said Martin grabbed his jacket.

"I am the athletic director, I can go in," Khan quoted Martin as telling him.

ELSEWHERE

UCLA: UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince has been cleared to practice and is expected to play Saturday after showing no complications from a concussion.

The freshman was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Washington's Donald Butler while Prince scrambled downfield in the Bruins' 24-23 win over the Huskies last weekend.

Memphis: Memphis fired coach Tommy West, saying the school wants to go in a different direction after the season.

Athletic director R.C. Johnson said he met with West yesterday morning and told the coach of the university's decision. He also asked West to stay through the end of the season.

West is 49-58 in his ninth season with Memphis, including 2-7 (1-4 Conference USA) this season.

Western Kentucky: Western Kentucky fired David Elson, though he will finish out the remainder of a horrific season.

The firing came less than 48 hours after the Hilltoppers (0-9, 0-5 Sun Belt Conference) lost 40-20 to Troy to extend their winless streak to 17 games, the longest in the country.

Elson is 39-41 in seven seasons as coach with the Hilltoppers.