Olson Pleased With Offense

If the first scrimmage of its football training camp is any indication, UCLA’s passing game should be improved this season.

Drew Olson completed 10 of 18 passes for 128 yards, including two touchdown throws to senior Craig Bragg and one to junior tight end Marcedes Lewis on Saturday.

“This was the best scrimmage, offensively, since I’ve been here,” Olson said. “The ball just moved consistently, except for a few hiccups here and there.”

Among the “hiccups”: At least three dropped passes, plus an Olson pass that was intercepted by linebacker Spencer Havner.

Because the Bruins were facing themselves, it’s difficult to judge how much better the offense might be compared to last season. Combined, the Bruins’ top three quarterbacks completed 23 of 35 passes for 255 yards and four scores.

David Koral, a transfer from Santa Monica College, had his best day of camp, completing seven of nine passes for 60 yards, and Brian Callahan completed six of eight for 67 yards and a touchdown.

“I like being in game-type situations,” Koral said. “Through summer and spring ball, I’ve developed a better understanding of the offense. I’m just feeling more comfortable throwing the ball on time to the receivers. I think I made a lot of good decisions today, including plays that I checked at the line of scrimmage that resulted in positive yardage.”

With running backs Maurice Drew and Manuel White being used sparingly, the Bruin ground attack was spotty even against a banged-up defense that was without injured linemen Kyle Morgan, Brigham Harwell and Kevin Harbour and middle linebackers Justin London and Tim Warfield.

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The tight ends were kept busy in the scrimmage, and that’s a positive sign for Coach Karl Dorrell’s West Coast offense. Lewis caught two passes and had several more thrown his way. His backup, Matt Raney, made a couple of catches for first downs.

“This offense is going to utilize the tight end and we think Marcedes is a great talent so we’re going to keep him involved in what we’re doing in the throwing game,” Dorrell said.

The Bruins’ top rusher was Derrick Williams, a redshirt freshman who scored a touchdown and gained 40 yards in nine carries. Freshman receiver Brandon Breazell caught five passes for 61 yards and sophomore Chris Steck grabbed four for 44 yards and a touchdown.

With senior guard Eyoseph Efseaff out because of a groin injury, Robert Chai and Robert Cleary had decent outings in their battle for one of the Bruins’ starting offensive line positions.

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UCLA vs. OKLA. STATE

* When: Sept. 4, 12:30 p.m.

* Where: Rose Bowl.

* TV: Channel 7.