Cowan seems to have won job over Olson

The quarterback competition at UCLA appears to have come to an end, with Patrick Cowan winning the job.

Coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow have not committed to a decision publicly, but sources within the program said they have decided to go with Cowan over Ben Olson and Kevin Craft. That was supported by the fact that Cowan took all the snaps with the No. 1 offensive unit during the Bruins’ first scrimmage Saturday.

Cowan completed seven of 11 passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’m just trying to get better every day,” Cowan said. “No matter who they have me running with, that’s all you can do. That’s all my focus.”

Cowan has lost out in quarterback competitions to Olson the last two seasons but both times injuries gave him a chance to play.

Olson started five games in 2006 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He started five games last season but missed six games because of a concussion and a knee injury. Both seasons, Cowan stepped in and led the Bruins to big victories, beating second-ranked USC in 2006 and 10th-ranked California in 2007. Cowan sat out eight games because of injuries last season.

Cowan effectively ran the team during the scrimmage, throwing an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Logan Paulsen and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Everett.

“There are always things you need to work on,” Cowan said. “I’m trying to get on the same page with Coach Chow a little more. There’s a play here and there where I was thinking one thing and he was thinking the other thing.”

Olson had a solid day as well, completing six of 13 passes for 93 yards, though 41 yards came on a spectacular catch by freshman Taylor Embree. But it’s now Olson who apparently is going to have to wait for another chance.

“I’m going to try to stay positive, try to prove myself,” Olson said. “I’m going to come out here every day trying my hardest. It’s all you can do.”

Chow, meanwhile, said it was a good first scrimmage by the Bruins’ quarterbacks.

“We saw sparks of leadership, but we’re still looking for more,” Chow said. “It’s hard to give everybody snaps. The two guys got a lot of reps, that’s what spring ball is for, to give everybody a chance. Then Rick and I will determine who it is.”

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Embree, the son of former Bruins assistant coach Jon Embree, enrolled at UCLA in January so he could participate in spring practice, a decision that seems to be paying off.

Embree has impressed coaches enough to be getting time with the Bruins’ top receivers group -- Everett, Terrence Austin, Dominique Johnson and Gavin Ketchum.

His play in the scrimmage did nothing to damage his chances. He went up between two defenders to haul in the 41-yard pass from Olson. He then made an over-the-shoulder catch on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Chris Forcier.

“He catches the ball,” wide receiver coach Reggie Moore said when asked what he liked about Embree. “That’s the name of the game in that job.”

And that is Embree’s master plan.

“Obviously, the other receivers have all the experience and they have a lot of size on me, the only thing I can do is catch every ball,” Embree said.

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The “quarterback” on the other side of the ball was an easy decision, as Reggie Carter is replacing Christian Taylor at middle linebacker.

His attributes are easy to see, and describe.

“He is real good at grabbing big guys and throwing them away real quick,” linebackers coach Chuck Bullough said. “He has a knack for it.”

Where Carter is trying to improve is in other areas.

“Just knowing everybody’s assignments,” Carter said. “I know all the calls, but the defensive line sometimes has mechanics problems, so I have to make sure everyone is lined up and doing their job before I do mine.”

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Isaiah Bowens, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from La Puente Bishop Amat High, gave UCLA a commitment Saturday.

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chris.foster@latimes.com