When quarterback Drew Olson went down in the second quarter
during the loss to Wyoming in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 23, he had
no idea the damage in his knee was so bad it could possibly keep
him from playing next year.
But results of an MRI preformed last week revealed that Olson
suffered a torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments
in his left knee. He will undergo surgery this week, but his status
for the start of fall camp later this summer is uncertain.
“I feel badly for Drew,” coach Karl Dorrell said.
“He is a great young man and one of our team leaders. Drew is
a tough competitor. If anyone can overcome a setback like this, it
is Drew Olson.”
After a messy quarterback controversy two years ago, Olson
emerged as one of the team leaders, organizing offseason workouts.
Starting all 12 games during the 2004 season, he completed 196 of
341 passes for 2,565 yards and 20 touchdowns.
While the injury typically takes at least six to eight months to
recover from, Olson does have his redshirt year left if he can not
be ready for his senior season.
Olson’s injury further complicates the quarterback
situation.
Former Thousand Oaks quarterback Ben Olson, one of the Bruins
most prized recruits, gave a verbal commitment to the school last
month and is expected to start classes this week. But Ben Olson, no
relation to Drew, hasn’t been on the football field over the
past two years while serving a Mormon mission.
Out of high school, Ben Olson was the top-ranked quarterback
prospect and signed with Brigham Young, but after he returned from
his mission he elected to stay closer to home and play for
UCLA.
While Ben Olson was expected to see some playing time next
season behind Drew Olson, the situation may have been changed by
Drew’s injury. Ben Olson was expected to take over the
starting spot once Drew graduated, yet that opportunity may now
come one year earlier than initially expected.
Behind both Olsons, the depth at quarterback is relatively
unknown. Senior David Koral filled in during the Las Vegas Bowl,
but had seen less than a half-dozen snaps before that game. In Las
Vegas, Koral was 7 of 12 for 89 yards and threw two touchdowns
against Wyoming. However, redshirt freshman Patrick Cowan could
also challenge for playing time behind the Olsons.