UCLA FOOTBALL: DECISION ON STARTING QB IS STILL TO COME.

Byline: JILL PAINTER Staff Writer

It looks like USC football coaches might have to gameplan for two quarterbacks.

Bruins coach Karl Dorrell said he'll make a decision on his starting quarterback ``probably toward the middle of (this) week.''

UCLA (6-5) plays rival USC at the Rose Bowl this Saturday, but it's increasingly unclear who will be under center, Patrick Cowan or Ben Olson.

The game within the game is already underway.

Cowan has played the past six games and is 2-4 as a starter, but Olson -- who was out with a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee -- looks like he's healthy enough to play. Dorrell has yet to name a starter, although last week he said if Olson was 100 percent, he would start.

For the first time Saturday, Dorrell acknowledged that Cowan might not be 100 percent either.

``He's a little banged up,'' Dorrell said. ``He's been hit a lot the last couple of weeks. It's nothing serious, but he's sore.''

UCLA, which had a bye Saturday, practiced in the afternoon. Many players went to the memorial service for former Bruin defensive back Marcus Cassel in the morning.

Cowan and Olson both took reps, but it wasn't a regular game-week practice.

According to Dorrell, Olson needs to be mentally ready for a game of this stature. Dorrell wants to see both Cowan and Olson practice Monday and Tuesday before making a decision.

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