Olson Is Model of Efficiency

Looking nothing like the quarterback who once alternated interceptions and touchdowns, Drew Olson completed a swift ascent from steady to spectacular in the second game of his senior season.

Of course, the tykes who engaged in a spirited halftime battle on the Rose Bowl turf Saturday night might have provided Olson with a stiffer challenge than the porous Rice defense did during UCLA’s 63-21 victory.

Displaying uncanny accuracy and efficiency, Olson completed 18 of 25 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns in little more than two quarters of play. He completed passes to eight receivers, including Junior Taylor and Joe Cowan, neither of whom had made a reception during the Bruins’ season-opening 44-21 victory over San Diego State.

“That was the goal tonight, to get those guys involved,” said Olson, who guided the Bruins to touchdowns on each of their six first-half possessions. “The passing offense just got a little more opportunity this week, and that’s what the difference was.”

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Olson had been solid against the Aztecs, completing 10 of 15 passes for 152 yards. He did not complete a touchdown pass, but he also did not throw an interception.

Olson surpassed his yardage total from the opener in the first quarter Saturday, passing for 172 yards as UCLA took a 14-point lead. Taylor was his favorite target early, turning a short reception into a 39-yard touchdown on the Bruins’ first drive. Taylor caught five passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

Olson moved into second place on UCLA’s all-time completion list when he found Taylor cutting across the middle for a 10-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the second quarter.

The completion was No. 442 for Olson, who moved ahead of Cory Paus (439) and Tom Ramsey (441) and trails only Cade McNown (694). Olson finished the night with 450 completions.

By halftime Olson had totaled what for most quarterbacks would be considered a fine day’s work, completing 15 of 20 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns.

“Drew did a wonderful job for us,” said tight end Marcedes Lewis, who had two catches for 27 yards. “The man is playing to win.”

Said Olson: “As far as making plays and keeping drives alive, it’s the best I’ve felt.”

Olson played in only one second-half series, completing three of five passes, before giving way to senior David Koral late in the third quarter.

Olson was particularly impressive during a drive that carried over from the first quarter to the second, completing all five passes he threw for 63 yards.

Olson threw a couple of bad passes, including one early in the first quarter that was nearly intercepted by defensive back Lance Byrd before falling incomplete. Another pass went off Maurice Drew’s fingertips near the Rice five-yard line.

“For a whole game,” Taylor said, “that’s the sharpest I’ve seen him.”