Olson Might Be Left Without Company

On UCLA’s first day of practice in preparation for the Dec. 30 Silicon Valley Classic at San Jose, Drew Olson sensed a change Saturday afternoon.

Gone was Matt Moore, his season-long competitor for the starting quarterback position who was granted a release from his scholarship Thursday. And gone in another month could be the new backup quarterback, John Sciarra, who’s expected to give serious consideration to transferring to a Division I-AA school after the bowl game against Fresno State.

It means UCLA (6-6) could have one quarterback on scholarship by spring practice, with Olson the sole survivor.

“It’s tough on the program, tough on the team, tough on myself,” Olson said. “Even having three out there was different [today], and it’s not a good difference,” referring to himself, Sciarra and walk-on Brian Callahan.

In February 2002, when Moore and Olson signed with UCLA out of high school, there was speculation one would eventually transfer.

“I knew it was a possibility just because that’s the case when you recruit two highly touted quarterbacks,” Olson said. “Since one of us didn’t redshirt, it makes it a more difficult situation.”

Moore, a sophomore, won the starting job in preseason practice, lost it when he was injured in the season opener against Colorado, regained it Oct. 25 against Arizona State, then lost it again. He was never comfortable in a backup role while Olson, also a sophomore, took a different approach.

“I really don’t think being the backup means you’re done,” Olson said. “Being the backup means you’re not doing something right and you have to get better. I think this team needs me to step up and be a leader. We need to get this program back to the way it was in the past. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Coach Karl Dorrell insisted Saturday that Moore misinterpreted his decision not to play him in blowout losses to Oregon and USC. Moore concluded he had no future with the Bruins.

“We wanted to keep the current quarterback in there to gain valuable experience and it was nothing more than that,” Dorrell said.

Of Moore’s decision, Dorrell added, “He was not happy staying here and I don’t want to hold anybody hostage.”

Sciarra, a sophomore who hasn’t played this season, declined to discuss his future with the Bruins, but those close to him say he will consider leaving.

As for solving what would be a severe depth problem at quarterback, Dorrell said, “You have to recruit, we really do.”

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End Dave Ball was selected the ABC-Chevrolet defensive player of the year. Ball has 16 1/2 sacks this season, a Bruin record. He holds the school’s career record for sacks with 30 1/2.

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UCLA’s next practice won’t be until Saturday because of final exams this week.