COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Left-Hander Is on Right Track

He would be the first left-handed quarterback to play for UCLA since Ernie Case, who last appeared in a Bruin uniform in 1946.

And what Cade McNown does with that left arm makes him stand out.

In two weeks of fall camp, the 18-year-old freshman from Oregon’s West Linn High has already moved up to the No. 2 spot, behind starter Ryan Fien.

UCLA’s other freshman quarterback, Steve Buck, has fallen behind because of a finger injury that has severely restricted him.

And in head-to-head competition with senior Rob Walker, McNown has moved slightly ahead, according to offensive coordinator Bob Toledo.

McNown made his biggest impression in last Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at the Rose Bowl, completing 12 of 16 passes for 117 yards.

“I’ve been impressed with him since he’s been here,” Coach Terry Donahue said. “He has a feel for the field and he gets velocity on the ball. I’m not saying he’s ready to go out and play against Miami [UCLA’s first opponent], but he’ll be one of our three quarterbacks, he’ll be on the travel team and he’ll get a chance to help if something should happen to Ryan.”

Despite what others are saying, McNown is talking like a freshman.

“I’ve still got a long ways to go,” he said. “It was nice to be out there on the nice grass in a big stadium. It was my first chance to be on that [Rose Bowl] field. I’m looking forward to having some big years there.”

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Fien has bounced back from the thigh injury that cost him almost a week’s work. . . . Center Mike Flanagan, who missed the beginning of camp while recovering from a broken jaw suffered in the off-season, has returned to full participation in practice.