Olson Will Not Hold Back

An injury to starting quarterback Drew Olson could be devastating because UCLA has such little depth at the position, but Olson said he can’t let that change his approach for Saturday night’s game against Illinois in the Rose Bowl.

“I won’t be leading with my head and trying to run people over -- I’ve got to be smart running the ball -- but I’ve got to go out and play,” said Olson, a sophomore who took over for the injured Matt Moore in the first quarter of Saturday’s 16-14 loss at Colorado. “I can’t worry about what might or could happen.”

Olson believes the Bruins’ new West Coast offense, with its quick drops and quick releases, is more conducive to protecting the quarterback, but even if Olson does have to scramble, Coach Karl Dorrell isn’t consumed with the thought of having to protect him.

“We’re not going to restrict him -- I wouldn’t want to disappoint the team by even entering into those thoughts,” Dorrell said.

“Drew’s gonna be fine. He moves around well, he had a couple of nice runs Saturday, and he’s proven he’s durable. Would I like him [to run] all the time? No.

“But he did some things Saturday that opened my eyes to just how competitive he is.”

Olson, who started the last five games of 2002 but lost the job to Moore in fall camp, completed 13 of 23 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns Saturday. Moore’s injury has provided an opportunity for Olson to seize the job, but a quarterback controversy could return when Moore is sound.

“In general, I don’t think a guy loses his job because of injury,” Dorrell said. “But if Drew is in a good rhythm when Matt gets back, that’s something we’ll need to evaluate. I’m very confident Drew can direct this offense.”

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Dorrell said UCLA will try to incorporate fullback Manuel White, who did not touch the ball against Colorado, into the offense against Illinois, but don’t expect any dramatic changes in the running game, which netted only 38 yards against Colorado and consisted almost entirely of tailback Tyler Ebell running between the tackles.

Asked whether the Bruins would try to run outside more or expand the types of running plays they use, Dorrell said he preferred to “tighten up” UCLA’s existing approach.

“Let’s find a way as coaches to put our kids in the best situation possible so we can be productive,” Dorrell said. “That doesn’t always mean expanding. Sometimes it means restricting and getting better at something we already do. I would lean more toward doing that.”

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After fumbling a handoff early in the first quarter Saturday, freshman tailback Maurice Drew did not play another offensive down. The only other time Drew touched the ball, he bobbled a kickoff at the goal line late in the fourth quarter. Don’t bother looking for Drew in Dorrell’s doghouse, though.

“Am I any less confident in Maurice Drew? Of course not,” Dorrell said. “I think he’s a heck of a player and will be for us. Like anything, you have to learn to walk before you run, and he’s going through those issues now. We’re going to look at him again.”

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Linebacker Spencer Havner, who sat out the second half of the Colorado game because of a sprained right shoulder, is doubtful for Saturday’s game against Illinois.