UCLA football coach Karl Dorrell announced Saturday that senior
quarterback Drew Olson will be the starter over redshirt freshman
Ben Olson for Sept. 3’s season opener against San Diego
State.
The decision comes after three weeks of indecision from Dorrell
and a day after Drew Olson said that he had become tired and
frustrated of the entire situation.
“It’s just nice to have it over with,” Drew
Olson said afterward. “It’s awesome to have the
starting position and the opportunity, but it’s only half the
battle.”
“I still have to win the games on the field.”
Dorrell notified both quarterbacks individually of his decision
this morning, and was pleased with the decision afterwards.
“It’s no surprise that Drew is the starter,”
Dorrell said. “He worked hard all summer, and he probably had
the best camp he’s ever had.”
Though Dorrell named Drew Olson the starter, the Bruin coach
said he was open to the possibility of playing Ben Olson as well
during Saturday’s game.
“Ben (Olson) will get his chances,” Dorrell said.
“This competition was as tight as it’s ever been, so we
will definitely try to give Ben an opportunity.”
Ben Olson, who has not practiced significantly in the last three
days due to an injury to his throwing hand, was still positive
after the announcement.
“I kind of knew this was going to happen after I injured
my hand,” he said. “I feel happy for Drew. We were
pulling for each other the whole time.”
The decision to start Drew Olson comes nine months after the
senior suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury against
Wyoming in the Las Vegas Bowl, and only a month after he had
returned to full strength.
With the opportunity, Drew Olson now has a chance to move into
the all-time record books for UCLA quarterbacks, as he is currently
fifth in career passing yards, completions and touchdowns.
Drew went through a similar quarterback competition two years
ago when he competed against former UCLA quarterback and current
Oregon State quarterback Matt Moore for the starting position.
Drew Olson, however, says that this year was an entirely
different situation.
“This year means so much more,” he said. “I
mean, after blowing out my knee and not being able to walk, I want
to prove to myself and everyone that I can lead our team to
victories.”