It’s about time for Kevin Craft

Based on the amount of recent work junior Kevin Craft has received with UCLA’s first-team offense, it seems only a matter of time before he is named starting quarterback for the Bruins’ opener against Tennessee.

Craft, who completed eight of 18 passes for 93 yards with three interceptions in UCLA’s scrimmage Saturday night, practiced exclusively with the No. 1 unit this morning while redshirt freshman Chris Forcier worked mainly with the second team.

Junior Osaar Rasshan, who did not play in Saturday’s scrimmage because of a knee injury, also practiced with the No. 2 offense.

Asked if he was ready to name a starter, Coach Rick Neuheisel said, “Not yet, but I’m much closer.

“We may have an answer this afternoon.”

Since senior Ben Olson suffered a foot injury at the beginning of training camp, Neuheisel has kept the quarterback competition open. But with UCLA’s first game less than two weeks away, he said it’s time for the offense to start getting things together.

“Offensively we have to develop some more leadership,” Neuheisel said. “That has to [happen] in order for us to get where we want to go… . That’s a challenge.”

Talking defense

Fifth-year senior cornerback Michael Norris, on UCLA’s defense: “What I’ve noticed this year more so than any other year is that we have a lot of unity. There’s no egos and everybody is trying to work together so we can grow as a group… . It’s really working out well so far.”

Norris added: “We’re more athletic as a defense. In years past, we may have had more experience than we do now but we’ll get to that point… . Once we [mentally] get everything down and gain more experience, we have a chance to be even better.”

Quick kicks

Running back Kahlil Bell did not practice this morning to rest a hip injury… . Defensive end Korey Bosworth, who suffered an ankle injury in Saturday’s scrimmage, practiced… . Several players are recovering from concussions, including linebacker Reggie Carter and tight end Logan Paulsen. Neuheisel said he expects most of them to return to practice this week… . Highlight of the morning practice was a hit freshman safety Rahim Moore delivered on wide receiver Terrence Austin during a team drill.

 lonnie.white@latimes.com