Toledo Will Use Olson

UCLA is sticking to the plan.

Even though it turns out Colorado State is more formidable than expected.

Even though a Bruin victory is more necessary than ever to steer attention back to football after cornerback Ricky Manning Jr.’s arrest last week on felony assault charges.

Yes, the plan still calls for freshman quarterback Drew Olson to take the field at some point during the second quarter.

Even though senior Cory Paus has never appeared more prepared.

Even though the Bruins can hardly afford a turnover or other rookie mistake against an opponent that is 2-0 and defeated No. 7 Colorado on Saturday.

“I’m going to play Drew Olson in the second quarter,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “How much he plays, I have no idea. When we put him in, I don’t know yet.”

But Olson will go because Toledo wants to be ready for a worst-case scenario--an injury to Paus.

“We’ve got a senior and then three freshmen quarterbacks who have never played in a game,” Toledo said. “Cory has had some injuries. I hope he doesn’t get hurt, but if something happens, that’s why we’re going to do it.”

Olson, who won the back-up job by beating out redshirt freshman John Sciarra and freshman Matt Moore, has been giving his debut a lot of thought--and even a little daydreaming.

“All week I’m just going to prepare and study hard so I can give the team an opportunity to succeed when I’m in there,” he said. “I don’t want to be a freshman with his head spinning. That would let down the team.

“I’ve visualized throwing touchdown passes and doing things correctly. Everybody does. That would be an awesome situation.”

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Olson is only one of several Bruin freshmen who will be force-fed into playing time.

“A lot of our guys are playing for the first time,” Toledo said. “I started getting a little nervous about how young we are. Ten redshirt freshmen will play in this game and nine true freshmen might play.”

Compounding the nervousness of youth will be the natural anxiety of playing an opener. At home. Against an opponent whose two victories have vaulted it to No. 19 in the rankings.

“[Colorado State] definitely has an advantage of playing two games because they are in game shape and have gotten rid of rustiness,” Paus said. “But playing at home is a little advantage and we will be excited to play our first game. I’d have to give them the edge as far as having played two games and having in-game preparation.”

Bruin receiver Tab Perry can’t imagine Colorado State hanging with UCLA.

“They are a decent team, but we’re going to be better,” he said. “I don’t believe in the rankings. That doesn’t mean a thing. Not having played isn’t a disadvantage for us. We’re more fresh.”

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Colorado State Coach Sonny Lubick seconds Perry’s motion, at least about the polls.

“We’re flattered to be where we are and be mentioned,” he said. “But early on you can’t put much credence in it. If we’re ranked high at the end of the year, I’ll take a picture of it and hang it in the locker room.”

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Freshman defensive end C.J. Niusulu will sit out about four weeks after having surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his right knee. Niusulu, who is facing felony battery charges stemming from a July fight at a Barstow drive-in theater, probably will be a redshirt.