With a win over No. 8 USC on Saturday, UCLA will have an outside chance of reaching the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1999.
What the Bruins don’t have ““ for today at least ““ is a starting quarterback.
Karl Dorrell isn’t rushing to make what could be the toughest decision he has faced this season. All he would say at Monday’s press conference is that either junior Ben Olson, junior Pat Cowan or sophomore Osaar Rasshan will get to start when the Bruins (6-5, 5-3 Pac-10) face the Trojans (9-2, 6-2).
“I don’t see us making a decision at the early portion of this week,” Dorrell said.
Olson played the second half of UCLA’s 16-0 win against Oregon and finished with 64 yards passing, one interception and no touchdowns. It was his first game since he suffered a knee injury Oct. 6 against Notre Dame.
Dorrell said that Olson is dealing with soreness in his knee and that he will be monitored closely this week.
Cowan hasn’t played since the Bruins’ Nov. 3 loss at Arizona, when he suffered a collapsed lung. He spent last week conditioning and has been cleared to practice this week.
Rasshan relieved Cowan in the loss to Arizona and started in the loss to Arizona State. He was pulled in the Oregon game in favor of Olson after starting the game 0-for-7 with an interception and four sacks.
Dorrell even suggested that the Bruins might use multiple quarterbacks, something they haven’t done yet this season.
“There is a possibility that we might use more than one quarterback,” Dorrell said. “We’re going to explore anything and everything for us to have some productivity this week.”
Olson began the season as the starter but was sidelined twice during the year. He may not have been 100 percent healthy against Oregon. He said early last week that he would be ready to play but that he had trouble planting off his injured leg and was lacking some mobility.
Dorrell is optimistic that both Olson and Cowan will be able to play in the Bruins’ final game of the season. And overall the Bruins seem confident with all three of their potential quarterbacks.
“Who knows who is going to start for us this week, I don’t know, it will be interesting to see,” senior running back Chris Markey said. “All our quarterbacks are great leaders.”
INJURY UPDATE: Senior Chris Horton suffered a mild concussion in the Oregon game. The safety missed the second half of the game but has already been cleared to play against USC.
Defensive lineman Jess Ward suffered what Dorrell said was a twinge in his knee. Ward has dealt with injuries all season, but Dorrell is hopeful that he will be available against the Trojans.
Another defensive end, Korey Bosworth, was injured against the Ducks. The redshirt sophomore suffered a hyperextended elbow, but Dorrell said he should be ready to play in UCLA’s next game.
FORBATH SHINES: Kicker Kai Forbath hit three field goals against Oregon, including a career-long 54-yard boot. The redshirt freshman was named the Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort.
The UCLA special teams have been perhaps the team’s strongest unit this season, and Dorrell has been especially impressed with Forbath and his confident approach.
Before the Oregon game, Dorrell said that Forbath told him he could hit a 60-yarder if he was kicking with the wind.