Quarterback Race Is Dead Heat

Bruin Coach Karl Dorrell has discovered what his predecessor, Bob Toledo, learned last fall. Quarterbacks Drew Olson and Matt Moore are so even that picking a starter will be exceedingly difficult.

After the UCLA spring scrimmage Saturday night at Spaulding Field, Dorrell would not rule out rotating the sophomores during the season.

“We would like to have a guy, one guy,” he said. “But if it’s too close to call, we could have a rotation. It’s a good problem to have.”

Olson started the scrimmage after winning a coin flip with Moore and was more accurate, completing nine of 11 passes for 107 yards. Moore was four of nine for 49 yards.

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Dorrell’s offense emphasizes short passes and utilizes every eligible receiver.

A significant change from Toledo’s offense appears to be integrating the fullback into the attack. Manuel White, the clear choice at the position, had 35 yards rushing and 18 yards receiving in the scrimmage.

Tailback Tyler Ebell had 65 yards and a touchdown in 13 carries. Reserve tailback Wendell Mathis strained his right knee.

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Dorrell was impressed by the standing-room-only crowd of about 5,000 that included many former players -- some of whom played a flag football game before the scrimmage.

“There were a lot of alumni and we’ve created a family atmosphere,” he said.

After turning down public appearances early on, Dorrell has spoken at several functions recently. He will be the featured speaker at the Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club on Friday at 7 a.m. at the Westwood Doubletree Hotel.

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Kirby Joseph, a defensive lineman from Louisiana who was a redshirt last season as a freshman, has left UCLA.

Joseph, who was hampered by shoulder and knee injuries, said in a letter to the Daily Bruin that he lost his focus on football pursuing a film career: “I was so gung-ho about getting into film school that I left football behind. Of course, I knew I was coming here to play ball, but in my own mind it wasn’t as important as getting into film school.”