The adversity has been plentiful ““ a new coach, a new
offense and, of course, the constant uncertainty surrounding the
leadership of the offense. But somehow through it all, Drew Olson
has remained patient and kept himself afloat, landing on the top of
UCLA’s depth chart as starting quarterback.
While the UCLA coaching staff has not remained consistent with
their decision regarding who should lead the team, true sophomore
Olson has always been steadfast with his dedication to the program.
He has quietly accepted the assignments that have been handed down
to him, whether he starts or not.
“It has been tough to deal through the ups and downs, one
week starting and one week not,” Olson said. “But while
it may be tough to deal with, we have to. We have to just go out
there and produce no matter what, because it’s not an
excuse.”
But the “ups and downs” Olson fought through could
rival even the best Magic Mountain can offer.
He began the year on the bench after fellow sophomore Matt Moore
won the starting job in summer training camp, but he quickly
stepped into the role when Moore was injured in the season opener
at Colorado. Then Olson went on to lead the Bruins to a 5-2 start
while Moore recovered from his injury, but upon Moore’s
return, UCLA lost two out of the next three games, and Olson was
back in.
“Both quarterbacks have shown tremendous class,”
offensive coordinator Steve Axman said. “It’s hard when
both have done a good job and only one can play at time. But they
have handled the situation the right way.”
At the heart of the controversy lies the problem that neither
quarterback has fully proven himself the dominant leader. Both are
young, operating within the offense coach Karl Dorrell brought with
him, and need more time to adjust to the new schemes. Olson has
demonstrated a better feel for the offense during the games,
according to Dorrell, but Moore has shown slightly more quickness
and athleticism in the pocket.
But while the offense has been problematic throughout the
season, the Bruins have appeared to respond better to Olson. After
putting in playing time in all but one of the games, Olson has
completed 55.3 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns but has
also thrown seven interceptions. Under Moore though, the team has
caught just two touchdowns.
“Both are young and have a lot confidence in their
ability,” wide receiver Ryan Smith said. “I can’t
really see much difference in either of them. But we’re all
learning the new system.”
Dorrell also noted when he announced the most recent change of
starting positions two weeks ago that he favored Olson on the field
for his leadership within the huddle.
“Talking to guys during the game is what I do a
lot,” Olson said. “You have to always be there, always
be on top of things, and that’s something I think I have the
majority of the time. Control is everything; I don’t think I
get rattled.
Now as the team is reeling from it’s third straight loss,
Olson is faced with the daunting challenge of leading his team past
the losing streak to a victory against No. 2 USC, a team the Bruins
have been unable to beat the last four years.
“It’s so tough after a loss,” Olson said of
last weekend’s loss to Oregon. “I take so much
responsibility after these losses when I start because you prepare
all week and you feel ready, but your performance just
doesn’t show that.
“But I don’t know how to quit, I wouldn’t know
how. I don’t think any of the other guys on the offense know
how to either. That’s why we have to pull it together this
week.”