Olson Has a Tough Night in Victory

If you watched UCLA quarterback Ben Olson last week almost five years after he last started a game, you probably were wondering how long before he’d turn pro.

After watching Olson against Rice on Saturday, maybe there’s a ways to go.

“I’ve got to play a lot better,” Olson said.

A blitzing Rice team made it tougher this time.

“We had some protection issues this week,” UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said. “Ben made a couple of mistakes, a couple of fumbles. It was a tough win. A tough win.”

After passing for 318 yards against Utah, Olson passed for 124 against Rice. He threw his first interception of the season, and fumbled twice, losing both.

“It’s not like I’m trying to,” he said. “They did a good job getting to me. But I’ve got to take care of the ball.”

Olson allowed that after the Bruins blew out Rice last season and took a quick 13-0 lead Saturday, there was “maybe a lack of focus” in their 26-16 win at the Rose Bowl.

“It was a victory. It was ugly,” he said. “I’m not at all happy with how I performed. I’ve got to do a better job.

“It was definitely a learning experience.”

*

Chris Markey heard the talk all week and he didn’t like it.

UCLA had only 107 yards rushing last week the a victory over Utah.

“People were saying we didn’t have a running game,” Markey said. “I was frustrated that people thought we couldn’t run the ball. I came out with a chip on my shoulder. The line had a chip on their shoulders as well.”

Markey, a junior running back, had 116 yards by himself by halftime against Rice and finished with a career-high 208 in 23 carries after being held to 32 in nine carries against Utah.

*

Fielding punts has proved to be a problem for UCLA.

Markey muffed one against Utah, although the Bruins recovered. Against Rice, Marcus Everett also fumbled and the Owls recovered.

Next up for the Bruins in the second half was freshman receiver Terrence Austin from Long Beach Poly, a player with punt-return skills who Dorrell said before the season was not ready to handle the responsibility because of inexperience.

*

Justin Medlock’s 51-yard field goal in the third quarter was his fifth of 50 yards or longer during his UCLA career, breaking a school record he had shared with John Lee. Medlock had four field goals in the game, tying his career high.

*

Rice started redshirt freshman John Shepherd at quarterback because of a thumb injury to sophomore starter Chase Clement. Clement jammed his right thumb last week against Houston, but Rice -- which closed some of its practices last week -- said a decision on whether he would play would be made Saturday after a cast-like wrap was removed Friday.

robyn.norwood@latimes.com

lonnie.white@latimes.com