UCLA INSIDE LOOK: OLSON: SILENCE OF THE RAMS FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK THROWN INTO GAME AT CRUNCH TIME.Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer PASADENA - Drew Olson Drew Olson (born April 6, 1983 in San Francisco, California) is a former starting quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles football team, where he broke many of UCLA's passing records. didn't get his opportunity in the second quarter after all. UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX football coach Bob Toledo Bob Toledo (born March 4, 1946, in San Jose, California) is an American football coach, recently hired as head coach at Tulane University. He is best-known as the thirteenth head coach at UCLA. pledged to use the freshman quarterback early in Saturday's season opener against Colorado State. But after Cory Paus threw an interception and UCLA was flagged for roughing the kicker Kicker A right, warrant, or some other feature added to a debt instrument to make it more desirable to potential investors. Notes: The ability to trade a bond or other debt instrument in for stock may entice investors, if they feel the stock will appreciate. in the second quarter, Toledo opted to stick with Paus. Still, Olson got a crack at engineering the UCLA offense. It just happened to be in the third quarter, with the Bruins trailing by six. And Olson just so happened to guide the Bruins to the eventual game-winning score. On his second series, Olson completed two passes in a drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Akil Harris. UCLA and its two quarterbacks opened the season with a 30-19 victory over No. 19 Colorado State at the Rose Bowl. ``That was awesome. It was the best feeling coming back to the sideline sideline See on the sidelines. with the lead and the whole stadium going crazy,'' Olson said. ``You couldn't ask for anything more.'' Not even to be UCLA's starting quarterback? UCLA went up 14-13 and never trailed after that. Paus played the rest of the game, but it begged the question: Is there a quarterback controversy? ``Definitely not,'' Olson said. ``Cory Paus is our starter. He's the leader of this team.'' Olson wasn't spectacular, to be sure. He wasn't bad, either. Especially for an 18-year-old who had every reason to sport wide eyes and a churning stomach. ``He was a little nervous, obviously,'' Toledo said. ``He made some nice plays and played with an air of confidence.'' But Olson didn't disappoint dis·ap·point v. dis·ap·point·ed, dis·ap·point·ing, dis·ap·points v.tr. 1. To fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of. 2. . He wasn't unbelievable. He wasn't horrible. He was efficient. He hooked up with Manuel White Manuel White (born July 2, 1982) is an American football running back. for a 9-yard screen pass in the drive that set up the touchdown, and notched a first down with a 15-yard pass to Tab Perry Tab Wilson Perry (born January 20, 1982 in Pennsylvania and raised in Milpitas, California) is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. He attended UCLA. Played wide receiver and safety in High School wearing the jersey number 3. to the Colorado State 5. ``He was nice and calm (in the huddle),'' Perry said. ``He was ready. We expect big things from him.'' For now, Olson completed 2 of 3 passes for 24 yards. ``He was great,'' Paus said. ``We're going to need him this season, especially if something happens to me. We're enjoying this victory right now, and he got a chance to get his feet wet.'' Olson wasn't the model of calmness, either. He just appeared that way. And it wasn't his first completed pass to White that erased any anxiety. It was the first sack of his career. Colorado State linebacker Adam Wade Singer, drummer and television actor Adam Wade was born March 17, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Wade was popular in the early 1960s with vocal styling similar to that of Johnny Mathis. dropped him for a loss on the third play of his first series. And Olson was almost a bit relieved. ``The play that settled me down was when I got sacked,'' Olson said. ``I got hit and it calmed my nerves. That was good. It wasn't good, but it helped.'' His family, including his father, a UCLA law graduate, was there among the 58,078 fans at the Rose Bowl. It also helped when he spotted them in the stands. And it helps UCLA to know the future looks bright at quarterback. |
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