At the center of the Bruins new-and-improved offense,
quarterback Drew Olson is having by all accounts a very successful
season. Surviving last year’s quarterback controversy, Olson
has grown to become a clearly visible leader on the field,
controlling the Bruins at the line of scrimmage. Already this
season, he’s thrown 18 touchdown passes, which ranks fifth in
UCLA’s single-season record book. The Daily Bruin was able to
sit down with him to discuss the X Games, Hanson and what exactly
makes USC so detestable.
Daily Bruin: What’s the toughest part about being the
quarterback?
Drew Olson: Sometimes you could say pressure, but for the most
part this game is so much cerebral knowledge. That’s the
football side of it. Other than that, I think the quarterback gets
too much credit and too much blame. That’s how it works at
the position.
DB: Is there a good side about being the
quarterback?
DO: You’re in control and I love being in control.
You’re the guy that leads the offense. Center of the offense.
That’s what every quarterback loves about it.
DB: Is it true you are an extreme sports lover?
DO: I love skiing; I’ve skied my whole life. The X Games
are sweet. I’ve been there a couple of times. I wish I could
do the things those guys could do.
DB: Can you do any tricks?
DO: Errr, no, ummm well, in skiing. … I haven’t really
tried any tricks lately, at least not until football is over. When
football is over I’ll explore what I can do. But
skateboarding, I did that all through high school. Downhill
skateboarding. But now that football is here, I have to stay on my
feet.
DB: Your facebook profile said you like contemporary art,
Hanson, and reading your NCAA bio. What’s up with
that?
DO: Hey, well I didn’t do that. (Linebacker) Ben Lorier
made my profile for me, so don’t listen or believe anything
you see there. I love big country, classic rock, stuff like that.
But the facebook is all false. I don’t know how to even get
on there or what to do. I don’t even know how it works.
I’ve been on there before, seen the pictures and how many
friends I have, and that’s all they’ll show me.
DB: So if you’re not listening to Hanson then what are
you listening to?
DO: Probably some country, some Pat Green, Grateful Dead, some
reggae. I love all kinds of music, except rap. I don’t know
why, but I don’t like it.
DB: You ever play yourself on EA Sports’ NCAA College
Football 2005?
DO: No, I never play video games really. The only one I do ever
play is Tiger Woods Golf. I was always one of those kids who really
loved being outside and doing things. It’s hard for me to sit
down and just play video games. But I guess I have played myself
maybe once or twice.
DB: Do you have a greatest childhood sports memory?
DO: Man, childhood. Let me think here. … It’s always fun
winning a championship in high school because I think it was the
first one we won in a while. That was a big accomplishment in high
school.
DB: Do you have a pre-game ritual?
DO: Ahh, not really. I do go out there on the field before the
game and throw to (receiver) Tab (Perry). We have a little routine
we go through. Other than that, it’s pretty laid back, just
kind of focusing. I’ve seen guys puking, that’s
probably the worst. There are a couple of guys who used to throw up
before every game. That’s pretty much as weird as it gets.
It’s not like I’ve ever seen guys dancing around at all
or anything.
DB: Have you ever thrown up?
DO: Nah, I never have.
DB: If you could have lunch with any two or three people
throughout history, who would they be?
DO: Wow, that’s a tough question. One would be Brett
Favre. President-wise it would be Kennedy, he would be a really
interesting guy to meet. And ahh … William Wallace.
DB: William Wallace?
DO: Yeah, “Braveheart”! Haven’t you seen
it?
DB: Nah, I missed that one.
DO: Yeah, I’m going way back in time.
DB: What’s the biggest thing you hate about
USC?
DO: Everything. The colors, the people, the way they act.
Everything.
DB: Since we NorCal people have to stick together, tell me
why NorCal is better than SoCal?
DO: Why not? Everything about it is better. The people,
everything about it is better. Sure there’s the beach and
then there’s the beach here. The weather is a bit nicer here,
but up North there are actual seasons. It’s just a better
atmosphere up there.
Interview conducted by Jessica Bach, Bruin sports
staff.