UCLA NOTEBOOK: HAND INJURY SLOW TO HEAL FOR BEN OLSON.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Backup quarterback Ben Olson might not play in UCLA's season opener after all.

On Saturday, Drew Olson was named the starter and Ben Olson the backup, but UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said he planned to play both. That might not be an option since Olson's left hand hasn't fully healed after hitting it on a teammate's helmet while throwing last week.

Ben Olson threw some short passes in Monday's practice but his two attempts to throw without limitation weren't pretty. The left-hander jokingly said he probably could've done better with his right arm.

``It's still a little painful,'' he said. ``Hopefully, it will get better. I don't have a whole lot of strength in my hand.''

The redshirt freshman was scheduled to have his hand looked at following Monday's practice. If he can't play, David Koral will be Drew Olson's backup. Koral played in the Las Vegas Bowl when Olson injured his knee during the game.

If Ben Olson is not 100 percent, offensive coordinator Tom Cable said he won't play.

``If he goes, he's got to go,'' Cable said. ``He has to be able to let it rip or he certainly can't go.''

Dorrell said he figured Ben Olson probably would have to be at full strength by Thursday in order to play at San Diego State, which had Ben Olson (Thousand Oaks High) slightly concerned.

``A little bit, yeah, but I just hope it gets better,'' he said. ``I just have to do all the rehab and mentally I've been taking reps. I'll be ready.''

--New transfer? Defensive lineman Brandon Nicolas (Mater Dei) has left Notre Dame and said he'll transfer to either UCLA or Colorado. Nicolas redshirted last season with the Fighting Irish and would have to sit out this season, according to NCAA transfer rules. Nicolas has been granted a release from his scholarship by Notre Dame and is eligible to transfer to any school he chooses. He visited UCLA on Monday.

``What I'm looking for is where I like the coaching staff and feel most comfortable with them and where they have a good business school,'' Nicolas said.

Nicolas said he'll make his decision this week.

--Also: Offensive lineman Chris Joseph (knee) participated in most of Monday's practice. ... Dorrell awarded one-year scholarships to four walk-ons - receiver Andrew Baumgartner, linebacker Christian Taylor, safety Charlie Schuh and holder Brian Callahan. ... Matt Willis, a walk-on, will be in the starting lineup as a kick returner, along with Chris Markey. Willis, a junior, was a sprinter for two years before playing football in the spring.

-Staff writer Brian Dohn contributed to this report.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

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BEN OLSON

Injured left hand may keep redshirt freshman out of Bruins' opener at San Diego State.