COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: BROWN LOOKS TO RUN MORE.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

One of Brigham Young's prized football newcomers, quarterback Ben Olson, will make Cougars' fans wait to watch the Thousand Oaks High graduate.

Olson announced last week he'll take his Mormon mission, meaning he won't suit up for BYU for two years. But another freshman, Curtis Brown, has given the Cougars a glimpse of the future.

The thing is, BYU coach Gary Crowton hasn't given Brown (Paraclete) much of a chance to provide an encore for his 217-yard breakout performance at Utah State. In the ensuing two weeks, when the disappointing Cougars lost to Air Force and Nevada-Las Vegas, Brown got all of five carries.

Crowton, whose team is just 3-5 after a 12-2 record in 2001, has been criticized throughout Utah for not settling on a quarterback. The Cougars' passing game has been sporadic and has some calling for more runs from Brown and Marcus Whalen, the starter most of the season.

Brown is content on getting a chance to contribute right away. He trusts Crowton's judgment, right or wrong. He's rushed for 267 yards and is averaging just less than 5 yards a carry entering today's game against San Diego State. Himself and Whalen share the team lead with four touchdowns apiece.

``Heck, we've got the best coach in the country and I'll never doubt anything he has to say,'' Brown told the Provo Herald.

BYU defensive back Josh Brandon (College of the Canyons) has made six tackles in seven games.

--He knows Matt: Oregon coach Mike Bellotti would like to forget last season's 49-42 to Stanford that ultimately cost the Ducks the opportunity to play for the national championship. But Bellotti remembered who wasn't playing for Stanford that day.

Stanford senior defensive tackle Matt Leonard missed the Oregon game in 2001 while he was recovering from a painful back injury. The Cardinal got by without him then, but a less-experienced defense needs an active Leonard (Palmdale) for leadership and his strong play in the trenches. The teams play today at Oregon.

Leonard had just two tackles in last Saturday's 28-18 loss at UCLA, but he hobbled off the field multiple times with leg injuries. But Bellotti expects the 6-foot-4, 299-pounder to be a difficult matchup for the Ducks.

``Matt Leonard didn't play against us last year. He's a dominant force inside,'' Bellotti said. ``He's just a big tackle.''

Stanford redshirt freshman Kyle Matter (Hart) is expected to play again at quarterback with junior Chris Lewis suffering from a bruised shoulder. Matter has thrown for 655 yards and three touchdowns.

``Kyle Matter is the starter right now,'' Cardinal coach Buddy Teevens said.

--Picking his spot: Fresno State redshirt freshman safety Tyrone Culver (Palmdale) recorded his first collegiate interception last Friday in the Bulldogs' game against Hawaii.

At the time, Culver seemed to be a game-saver for the Bulldogs. His interception of Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang midway through the fourth quarter preserved Fresno State's 21-16 lead. He returned the ball 31 yards near midfield.

But the Bulldogs threw their own interception, and the Warriors came back for the go-ahead touchdown before pulling away 31-21.

Culver's playing time has increased throughout the season. He's made 19 tackles, 14 solos.

``Tyrone Culver ... made some good plays in the game,'' Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said.

--Devil of a matchup: One of the season's biggest Pacific-10 Conference games is today at eighth-ranked Washington State, which hosts No. 16 Arizona State.

For the visiting Sun Devils to win, they'll need another steady showing from freshman Derek Hagan (Palmdale). The wide receiver is third on the team with 18 catches. He has 240 yards but no touchdowns.

--Booker's playing time: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo redshirt freshman quarterback Demetre Booker (Antelope Valley High) has played in two games and has four carries for 8 yards. He has yet to throw a pass.

--All the Kingsmen: Versatile Cal Lutheran sophomore Craig Herrera (Paraclete) is second on the Kingsmen in kickoff returns with 170 yards (18.9 average on nine returns). He also has three rushes for 17 yards and has made five tackles.

CLU linebacker Brandon Barclay (Quartz Hill) has assisted on one tackle.

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Former Paraclete star and current BYU running back Curtis Brown, left, hasn't gotten the ball much since running for 217 yards against Utah State.

Douglas C. Pizac/Associated Press