No Friction Between Olson, Moore

The flames of a supposed UCLA quarterback controversy are being fanned by just about everyone but the central figures in the debate.

Drew Olson, of course, is perfectly happy being the starter, but Matt Moore, who Coach Karl Dorrell said would not lose his job because of injury, is surprisingly accepting of his backup role, even though he said his injured left knee “feels fine” after Tuesday’s practice.

“It’s OK,” said Moore, who won the job coming out of fall camp but was injured in the first quarter of a season-opening loss at Colorado. “I don’t know what the coaches are thinking.... I feel 95%. The timing, the rhythm, is a little off, but as far as knowing the plays, I’m fine.”

Over the summer, Moore hinted at the possibility of transferring if he didn’t win the starting job, but the sophomore seems understanding of Dorrell’s dilemma entering Saturday’s game at Arizona.

Olson, also a sophomore, has passed for 258 yards in each of the last two games, victories over San Diego State and Washington, and Dorrell is reluctant to pull a starter who is moving the offense and gaining confidence in favor of a player he is not convinced is 100%.

Dorrell said Moore, who played two series at the end of Saturday’s 46-16 blowout of Washington, will “get a chance to play more” against the Wildcats, but if he doesn’t, you get the feeling Moore won’t even be that upset.

“We’re on a roll now, so that’s the last thing I’m worried about,” Moore said, when asked if he was beginning to wonder if he would ever reclaim his starting job. “It’s a different situation, but I’ve been in a lot of those here. I take it one day at a time.”

Has Moore considered the possibility of Olson playing so well he remains the starter for the rest of the season?

“A little bit, but at the same time, I’m not worried because we’re winning,” Moore said. “That’s why I have to be unselfish.”

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Strong safety Jarrad Page, who suffered a strained joint and a bruised bone in his right shoulder in a fourth-quarter collision with teammate Dennis Link on Saturday, did not practice Tuesday and is very doubtful for Saturday’s game. Page will not participate in contact drills all week.

Free safety Ben Emanuel also sat out Tuesday’s practice because of headaches stemming from a mild concussion, but he expects to play. If Page is unavailable Saturday, nickel back Nnamdi Ohaeri, Kevin Brant, Eric McNeal and possibly Keith Short, a cornerback, could play safety in his place.

Linebackers Brandon Chillar, who ranks 10th in Division I-A with 12.40 tackles a game, and Justin London also were held out of contact drills because of general soreness, but both will play Saturday.

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Defensive end Dave Ball, who leads the nation with 8 1/2 sacks, will be added to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football.

Ball had six tackles (five unassisted) and 4 1/2 tackles for loss, including 3 1/2 sacks for a loss of 18 yards, in the victory over Washington. He also forced two fumbles, one that was recovered by teammate Rodney Leisle for a touchdown.

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Marc Villafuerte, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive lineman from Santa Ana College and Anaheim Canyon High, has committed to UCLA. Because he missed a season because of an injury, Villafuerte will have three years of eligibility at UCLA.