The UCLA football team is about to take on Stanford, its eighth
opponent of the season, and two key positions are suddenly up for
grabs.
One was expected. With senior quarterback Cory Paus out for the
season after suffering a broken ankle against Cal, and backup Drew
Olson listed as doubtful with a separated shoulder for this
week’s game, redshirt freshman John Sciarra and true freshman
Matt Moore will battle it out to determine who gets to start this
week.
“We’re going to play a freshman quarterback,”
UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said. “I’m just not sure who
it will be right now. I’m probably not going to name a
starter until game time.”
The other spot that is suddenly open is a bit of a surprise.
Placekicker Chris Griffith has struggled in recent weeks, missing
the potential game-winner against Oregon and having a 21-yard field
goal attempt blocked against Cal. As a result, Toledo will be
giving punter Nate Fikse an opportunity to kick field goals.
Fikse missed his only field goal attempt of the season from 55
yards against Colorado, but he has kicked field goals in
practice.
“I’m going to let them compete in practice a little
bit, and the best one will kick in the game,” Toledo
said.
It is the quarterback position, however, that has UCLA
concerned. The team’s bowl hopes hinge upon the results of
the quarterback competition and the quickness with which Moore,
Sciarra or, later on, Olson can mature. UCLA quarterbacks were
sacked seven times by Cal, and until one of the freshmen proves
capable of throwing the ball effectively, Stanford is expected to
blitz out of unfamiliar defensive sets.
“Like usual, we’ll study the tape and evaluate
UCLA’s pass protection schemes,” Stanford head coach
Buddy Teevens said. “At the same time, we’ll be
thinking that they may have a guy who has not had as much game-time
experience back there.”
Sciarra’s lack of experience showed against Cal; he
completed just 1 of 7 passes with an interception and lost two
fumbles.
Moore is considered more athletic than Sciarra, with a cannon
for an arm and the mobility to avoid sacks. However, Moore’s
experience at quarterback consists of one year at the high school
level. He is also on the skinny side, standing 6-foot-4-inch and
weighing in at 188 pounds.
“(Moore’s) been prepared as far as meetings and
all,” Toledo said. “The only thing is that he
hasn’t practiced at all with the starters.”
Toledo openly admits that neither Moore nor Olson nor Sciarra
have what Paus brings to the table. Without Paus behind center,
UCLA’s offensive scheme will have to change.
“When you don’t have an experienced quarterback like
Cory Paus, you narrow down the playbook so it’s not so
complicated,” Toledo said.
“Obviously, it’s going to be a great challenge for
me and the staff, but I believe that I can get them to play down
the stretch. There’s still a lot of football left.
“We will find a way.”