UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: OLSON IS READY TO START.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

Ben Olson entered training camp as the favorite to become UCLA's starting quarterback, and following his performance in Saturday's situational scrimmage, the redshirt sophomore said he expects that to happen.

Olson, who is dueling with Patrick Cowan, completed 14 of 23 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Olson also missed several open receivers, and was victimized by a few drops.

``There's always room for improvement and there's plays you wish you could have back, but I felt very comfortable out there,'' Olson said. ``All I need is a little more time, and things are clicking.''

Cowan completed 10 of 25 passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns, but his longest scoring drive was 35 yards.

He was inconsistent in his throws, several of which he forced into coverage, and at one point had seven straight possessions go three- and- out.

Olson consistently said throughout training camp he was preparing to be UCLA's starter. He was asked after the scrimmage if anything transpired in training camp for that belief to be altered.

``No,'' the 6-foot-5 left-hander said. ``Until I'm told otherwise, that's the approach and attitude I'm going to take.''

Bruins coach Karl Dorrell said he saw good things out of both quarterbacks, but would not divulge when a decision would be announced, although one is expected in the next few days. UCLA opens the season against Utah in two weeks.

Meanwhile, Bruins offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda said Cowan and Olson were up and down during the 115-play session.

``We were too inconsistent at this point, (compared to) where we want to be,'' Svoboda said. ``But I think both of them did some things that we we're very optimistic about.''

Running on empty: Dorrell was not pleased with how UCLA ran the ball. There was very little running room between the tackles, and leading tailback Chris Markey was held to 10 yards on nine carries.

``We're struggling some in terms of the run game,'' Dorrell said. ``I thought we'd run the ball a little bit better, and we weren't able to do so. We should be able to run the ball more effectively, and we'll get ourselves to do that.''

Kahlil Bell had 53 yards on eight carries, but overall the running game was ineffective.

``We had to check out of a lot of runs because they were bringing a lot of blitzes,'' Bruins offensive tackle Noah Sutherland said. ``We still need some work, but it's a lot of detail. It's not anything new. It might be going to (block) the wrong linebacker on one play, or maybe a wrong step. It's not an effort thing.''

Defense shines: UCLA's defense put forth a strong effort, limiting its missed tackles and blown assignments.

The offense's longest scoring drive was 50 yards, and the defense didn't allow any points on the first eight possessions.

``The defense is a lot better this year, and they're really a fast defense,'' Sutherland said. ``I can tell. I think the speed is a lot better, they're more sound. They're not out of position as much. I even think their effort is better.''

Players said part of the reason for UCLA's strong defensive showing was a defensive players-only meeting middle linebacker Christian Taylor called Friday night to go over the game plan.

``Something we've been preaching all of camp is tackling,'' Taylor said. ``When the defensive backs come up, they're doing a great job of taking out legs and getting guys down right now. Up front, we're working on setting a new line of scrimmage and getting the linebackers going downhill. That's how we want to play.

``Sometimes we're moving guys, and we're stunting, and allowing the linebackers to run and make tackles.''

Freshmen hazing: Several freshmen sported shaved heads thanks to upper classmen, but none had a more intriguing 'do than tailback Jeremy McGee.

McGee sported what, at first glance, looked to be a classic male pattern baldness hairdo. But on top of his head was an arrow, which began at the front of his scalp and pointed toward the back.

``I didn't do anything but give him a nice little haircut,'' Markey said. ``We were welcoming some of the freshmen in. I was just cutting, and it came to me.''

Also: Very little was practiced in the return games, but McGee did have one nice punt return which he nearly broke for a touchdown but slipped going through the last hole. ... Reserve cornerback Matt Slater had his left arm in a sling after the scrimmage. His status will be re-evaluated today.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Ben Olson, the Bruins' likely starting quarterback, completed 14 of 23 passes.

(2) UCLA middle linebacker Christian Taylor chases a ballcarrier during Saturday's situational scrimmage.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer