Toledo Admits Mistake

It took some cajoling, but Coach Bob Toledo eventually admitted Monday that replacing starting quarterback Drew Olson with Matt Moore in the second quarter of the loss to USC was a mistake.

Olson overcame early jitters to direct an 89-yard scoring drive that cut USC’s lead to 21-7. The Bruins forced a punt and took over at their six-yard line. Another scoring march might have made for a close game rather than the 52-21 debacle that transpired.

But Moore, who like Olson is a freshman, was inserted and he fumbled the first two snaps. The Trojans recovered the second miscue and scored a touchdown moments later.

“If you look at practice, Matt never fumbled snaps and Drew fumbled a few snaps,” Toledo said. “I never thought Matt would fumble the football. He also performed well once he got comfortable.”

But by the time Moore got comfortable, the score was out of reach.

The quarterbacks are regarded as equal in ability, but Toledo acknowledged that he should have departed from his pregame plan of using both in the first half.

Because Olson had played through his nervousness, he had the best chance of directing another drive at a critical juncture.

“Looking back, it was a bad decision,” Toledo said. “It didn’t work out, so I look [bad]. Now that it happened, of course, I wouldn’t do it again. I wanted to get Matt in the game before halftime and whoever had the hot hand, go with him in the second half.

“I’ll be criticized for that one forever. I obviously made a mistake.”

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Olson will start against Washington State on Dec. 7. Moore, who has a mild concussion, again is expected to play.

Running back Akil Harris (concussion) and receivers Tab Perry (ankle), Craig Bragg (concussion) and Jon Dubravac (broken toes) are not practicing this week.

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C.J. Niusulu is expected to plead guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge today in Barstow Superior Court. He would be sentenced in December.

The freshman defensive tackle is charged with felony battery stemming from a fight at a Barstow drive-in theater in July. Toledo said a felony conviction would prompt Niusulu’s dismissal from the team.

Niusulu, who has played well as a reserve, had an emergency appendectomy last week and did not play against USC. He is not expected to play against Washington State.