Callahan Should Act Like a Pro

What Brian Callahan lacks in size, experience and arm strength, he could make up for in confidence.

A freshman walk-on and the son of Oakland Raider Coach Bill Callahan, Callahan did not start a game in two varsity seasons at Concord De La Salle High, and he has never taken a snap in a college game. But he has little trepidation about backing up UCLA quarterback Drew Olson tonight.

“Being around [the NFL] has helped me in terms of the mental game,” Callahan said. “You still have to go out and do it, but that gives me a little bit of a mental edge. I’ve seen guys prepare, I know how you’re supposed to prepare, and that will help me prepare for a college game.

“I’ve watched Rich Gannon for the last five years -- when I was in junior high, I watched Rodney Peete and Ty Detmer -- I’ve watched guys like Brett Favre and Dan Marino on film. I try to take a little bit of everything and incorporate it in my style.

“I’ve had access to things most people don’t. Every year, I watch the draft tapes of college quarterbacks working out, just to get a feel for who’s out there, mechanics, how things are supposed to look. It’s given me advantages most kids don’t have.”

With current Michigan backup Matt Gutierrez ahead of him on two De La Salle championship teams, Callahan never started in high school, but he got plenty of playing time.

“As soon as we got our leads, we would put Brian in,” De La Salle Coach Bob LaDouceur said. “He could have started at lots of high schools. He was the consummate team player.

“I told him at the beginning of the year, ‘The chances of you beating out Matt are very slim. You could transfer and we won’t hold it against you.’ He said absolutely not. He was great in practice. He just loves the game. He was a tough kid and a good runner, the kind of kid you want on your team.”

Callahan’s primary responsibility at UCLA has been to run the scout team in practice, but with starter Matt Moore injured and backup John Sciarra suspended for tonight’s game, Callahan moved to No. 2 on the depth chart.

“I’m excited, to be honest,” Callahan said. “It gives me an opportunity I otherwise wouldn’t have had. The situation is unfortunate; it’s not how I would have liked it to happen. But you have to take advantage of an opportunity you get, especially being a walk-on and an undersized quarterback. Hopefully I’ll make most of it.”

But can he play?

“Oh, yeah,” Gannon said. “He’s smart, like his dad, from the standpoint he wants to learn as much as he can. He’s been out here for years, throwing with us and playing catch. I think he’s actually thrown with receivers at camp during drills. I’d love to see him get in. I’ll tell you one thing. I’m sure he’ll be prepared to play.”

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Illinois has not played in the Rose Bowl since the 1984 Rose Bowl game, a 45-9 UCLA victory in which Karl Dorrell, now the Bruins’ first-year coach, caught five passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns. The Illini lead the series, 5-4.... A victory tonight would be the 500th in the history of UCLA’s football program.