For the final time this season, arguably one of the most
prolific, explosive and steadfast quarterbacks in college football
will be passing through the tunnels of the Coliseum.
He says he’ll miss being on the sidelines, the camaraderie
and the band’s blaring rendition of the Trojans’ fight
song after each victory. He will reminisce over the four years that
fans have cheered him on. Yet, for Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart,
this Saturday’s final regular-season game against UCLA is not
about looking back. It’s about moving on.
“I’m going to miss it all,” Leinart said.
“But all great things come to an end. I’m going to
cherish every day during this week and then soak it all
in.”
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner will get his shot to extend
USC’s historical championship run to an unprecedented
three-peat performance. Before battling for college football
immortality, Leinart must face off against an often forgotten
quarterback from just across town ““ UCLA’s Drew
Olson.
This season Olson has performed every bit like a Heisman Trophy
candidate. The quarterback’s numbers are glaring. The senior
out of Piedmont, Calif., leads the nation in touchdown passes (30),
passing efficiency (172.47) and interception percentage (0.93).
Olson’s passer rating tops Texas’ Vince Young and
Leinart. The Bruin nearly eclipses all the major passing statistics
over Leinart. More importantly, Olson has been the leader for a
team that stands at a 9-1 season, including five come-from-behind
victories
“You just compare the numbers; he is a guy who is
maturing,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s
playing as good as anyone in the country, no question.”
“This year he’s finally, kind of but not answered
the call, but finally stepped up in the way he probably knew he
could play the whole time,” Leinart said. “I’m
actually really happy he’s had a good season.
“I think he has respect for me and I have respect for
him.”
Yet as season honors roll around, Olson has received the cold
shoulder. He doesn’t nearly receive the ounce of publicity
that Leinart attracts. Albeit that USC is riding 33 consecutive
wins and has been nationally ranked No. 1 for 32 straight weeks in
the AP polls, Leinart continues to turn heads with the
accomplishments of his team.
So when it comes to punching his ticket to New York for the
Heisman Trophy finalists, Olson will undoubtedly be on standby.
When drawing the comparison between Leinart and Olson, UCLA
coach Karl Dorrell feels it’s a comparison more so of
what’s been done in the past.
“What hurts (Olson) is that he hasn’t done it with
longevity,” Dorrell said. “He didn’t do it last
year. Thus he couldn’t build on it for this year. If you had
to go by this year alone, he’s as good as anybody.”
Olson, however, doesn’t put too much stock into the
comparison.
“Obviously (Leinhart’s) had a fantastic year and
just because my numbers stack up, I don’t know how much I
think about it and compare it,” Olson said. “It is what
it is and mine are where they are and so I really don’t look
into it as much.”
“But it’s still nice to be mentioned with someone of
his caliber.”
Yet just by the season that they are having, Olson and the
Bruins feel more than ever there’s more riding on this
game.
“It means a lot,” Olson said. “You live with
this for the rest of your life for one. It’s a game
you’ll remember forever. And seriously in this rivalry,
I’ve gone 0-3, that’s not something that I want to go
winless and tell my grandkids and kids. That’s how strong it
is. You talk about this for the rest of your life.”
Olson says he has an idea of the emotions Leinart may have in
his final home game. Olson’s was memorable after making a
dent in the UCLA record books, throwing for five touchdowns and 510
passing yards against Arizona State. In that game, Olson shattered
former Bruin Cade McNown’s record of 25 touchdown passes in a
season. Olson’s current 218 completions rank No. 2 in school
history, trailing only Troy Aikman’s 228 in 1998.
Having to deal with all the injuries and the quarterback
controversies during his career, Olson has already solidified
himself as one of the best quarterbacks in UCLA history. To say the
least, Dorrell and the coaching staff were surprised at the season
Olson has had.
“If someone could have asked me was he going to have this
type of year back in August, it would be hard to really see that.
He didn’t really possess that at all in his past,”
Dorrell said. “He’s made himself to who he is right
now. I am just proud of him. He’s endured a lot of the pain
in the last two years, and it’s been good to see the type of
the season he’s had for this program.”
Both the Bruin and Trojan quarterbacks have obvious
similarities. They’re relentless and find whatever means
possible to win. Whether it’s Leinart scrambling and making a
second effort spin for the game-winning touchdown against Notre
Dame or Olson leading his team to an overtime victory with four
touchdown passes against Stanford after trailing 24-3 with 8:26
remaining in the fourth quarter.
Though Olson is having arguably one of the most successful
seasons any UCLA quarterback has had, this Saturday is a chance for
him as well as the Bruins to pull off something special.
“He’s got his chance on Saturday just like the rest
of us and none of us have gotten our respect and we get our chance
and prove it and we’ll have to come out and take advantage of
it,” UCLA senior safety Jarrad Page said. “People
don’t respect that and I guarantee you that come Saturday
we’re going to get some.”
For months this game has been circled on the Bruins’
calendars. They’ve seen the tapes of other teams folding.
They know how potent of an offense USC possesses. They know
tailback Reggie Bush is a complete player and that Leinart
possesses great experience. Yet, when all the talk surrounds how
Leinart may very well possess the traits of being able to defeat
the Bruins, Page thinks otherwise.
“I have respect for him but we’re not putting anyone
on a pedestal,” Page said. “We’re going to go out
there and play the game. It’s another football team. And when
you start treating them like they are these gods that’s when
you start playing scared. It’s another football game and
another football team.
“The guy has some accolades and that’s
it.”