UCLA is more than halfway through its season and like so many
other schools, it’s having its share of problems.
The struggles on defense and injuries across the board have been
well-documented, but it’s the healthiest Bruins on the
offensive side of the ball that I’m worried about.
You see, a few weeks ago, people began tabbing Maurice Drew as a
Heisman Trophy candidate, a worthwhile claim that he has lived up
to the past few games.
However, during this same period, Drew Olson seemed to decide
that he wanted in on some of the spotlight. He’s been leading
the Bruins to fourth-quarter comebacks and has started throwing six
touchdowns a game, all the while deflecting some of that Heisman
talk away from his tailback.
These days, it’s hard to tell who the most legitimate
Bruin Heisman hopeful is. And the scary thought is that the voters
might get so confused that neither Drew nor Olson will be invited
to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York as one of the
finalists.
On Tuesday, I asked Drew if he thinks Olson is deserving of the
award and whether he’s concerned about his own campaign
getting sabotaged by a teammate. He replied with the old
as-long-as-we-win mantra and also made a pitch for his quarterback,
seemingly throwing away some of his votes in the process.
“He should have been,” Drew said. “He has the
best stats of quarterbacks I think. He’s leading our team. He
has all the characteristics of a Heisman candidate.”
Indeed, Olson’s passing efficiency is fourth best in the
nation, but I can’t help but think Drew’s argument
would have been more convincing had he spoken in the present tense
from the start.
Unfortunately, his remark shed some light on the perception that
players must declare their Heisman candidacy before the season
starts, as though they’re seeking an elective office of some
sort.
“I think both of them are playing very well, but I think
there was more anticipation about Maurice having a big year,”
coach Karl Dorrell said. “I think part of the Heisman
consideration is what you did the previous year, too.”
If that’s truly the case, I asked Dorrell whether Olson
could somehow return for a fifth year and give the Bruins an inside
track to consecutive Heisman winners.
Unfortunately, the coach seemed resigned to the strict NCAA
eligibility rules, regardless of whether his quarterback will need
a ballroom dance class next year to complete graduation
requirements.
As it stands now, the hints all point to Drew emerging as
UCLA’s finalist, but there’s no telling what might
happen if Olson keeps throwing six touchdowns a game and Drew
isn’t catching half of them.
I told Olson he might be inadvertently stealing votes from his
running back, but he didn’t seem terribly concerned.
“I don’t think either one of us care about
it,” Olson said. “It’s just hype from the
outside. Whatever happens down the road happens.”
I suggested he look for Drew as his primary receiving target for
the remainder of the season, thinking such a game plan might enable
both Bruins to appear in New York this December.
“We just need to continue to play and whatever works out,
works out,” Olson replied. “He’s doing a great
job. I’m feeling comfortable. We’re connecting right
now and it’s a lot of fun playing with him.”
It’s a lot of fun for fans to watch them as well,
particularly when factoring in the guessing game of who is more
deserving of the Heisman.
I just hope the voting media members don’t pass on this
game because they’re not sure of the answer.
E-mail Finley at afinley@media.ucla.edu if you forgot to
declare your Heisman candidacy at the beginning of the
year.