UCLA NOTEBOOK: MOORE APPEARS TO SECURE QB JOB.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

FULLERTON - UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell said he will wait a few more days to announce his starting quarterback, but given his post-scrimmage comments Saturday, it certainly is setting up for Matt Moore to take the first snap of the season Sept. 6 at Colorado.

Saying Moore was in the ``driver's seat'' and was given the start over Drew Olson in the scrimmage based on a better and more consistent week of practice, Dorrell seemingly left little doubt about which quarterback would lead the Bruins into the season.

Both Moore and Olson were impressive in the scrimmage, but Moore had more snaps with the first-team offense against the first-team defense than Olson. Moore conducted the only touchdown drive but also threw the only interception.

``(Moore) is the one in the driver's seat, he got the nod first,'' Dorrell said of the Hart High of Newhall product. ``We'll see what happens the rest of the time in camp.''

Though there was no wide separation of the quarterbacks in the scrimmage, a direction for the Bruins' offense might be getting established.

Moore completed 8 of 11 passes for 118 yards, and Olson connected on 6 for 9 for 144 yards.

Dorrell said he will wait a few days to name a starter, but Moore believes it will take an unforeseen and unexpected poor couple of workouts the next few days for him to lose his lead.

``I started the game, and I don't think I did anything to make them pull me from starting,'' Moore said. ``I didn't shoot myself in the foot. I didn't do anything to hurt my status. I think for the next two weeks if you just focus, it's hard to screw up.''

Moore, who is considered to have the stronger arm, and Olson also remained distinctive in their approaches. All of Moore's completions were downfield and went to either the tight end or wide receiver. Olson connected on a few deep passes, including 53 yards to Idris Moss, but also used his dump-off options by completing two passes to the running backs.

``I see two guys battling pretty good,'' Dorrell said. ``It's not like there's any huge discrepancy between both of them. I don't think it's that type of situation. By the numbers, they're probably pretty close.

``I don't like to go by stats. I like to go by mannerisms and operating an offense and having the control and command. Those are bigger issues than whether he completed 75 percent of the passes.''

That was evident when the coaches altered the game plan in mid-scrimmage after Moore began the day by directing an eight-play touchdown drive with the first-team offense against the first-team defense.

``It was my full intention to then just alternate them evenly, but Matt takes them down the field and they score seven. So I said, `OK, let's see if you can do it again,' '' offensive coordinator Steve Axman said. ``They come down the field again and they get (a field goal). I was pleased to see that, and I think that's a big part of this offense. We need to find a guy that is consistently keep driving and moving.''

Olson acknowledged he had a lackluster week of practice leading up to the scrimmage, and he wasn't surprised when Axman and Dorrell went with Moore, whom they called more consistent, first in the scrimmage.

``I really didn't feel like I had a good week of practice at all,'' Olson said. ``I didn't feel like myself, didn't feel like I played up to what I did in the springtime and that was real disappointing for me. I just need to get back in the groove.''

--Drew, the man: One of the most impressive players in camp is freshman tailback Maurice Drew, and just what the coaching staff thinks of him was evident when he was given the start with the first team because of Tyler Ebell's unavailability.

``Maurice is a tough guy to tackle,'' Dorrell said. ``He's tough to find when he's got those six, seven guys blocking for him. By the time he gets to the secondary, it's hard to get down (to tackle him). He looks very impressive. I'm excited about him being in our backfield, particularly with him and Tyler.''

And just as Drew did in the first two weeks of practice, he again dazzled with his quickness and ability to break tackles. He carried 11 times for 45 yards and had a 7-yard touchdown run called back.

``He's just a machine,'' Moore said. ``He's going to help our team out huge.''

--Sitting out: Ebell was the most visible Bruin to sit out the scrimmage as he continues to recover from fatigue, but the coaching staff is optimistic Ebell will return to drills Monday.

Among other notables sitting out were projected nickel back Nnamdi Ohaeri and tailback Wendell Mathis. Ohaeri has yet to be in full pads after missing the first week of practice because of a heart murmur and Mathis because of a pulled calf muscle.

--Extra points: Tight end Marcedes Lewis, who frequently lined up in the slot, had three catches for 71 yards, and wide receiver Junior Taylor caught three passes for 33 yards. ... Kicker Justin Medlock made all three of his field-goal attempts, connecting from 35, 40 and 21 yards. ... Dorrell gave his staff Saturday night off so they could review the scrimmage tapes today.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Quarterback Drew Olson (14) acknowledged he had a lackluster week of practice leading up to UCLA's scrimmage Saturday, which Matt Moore started.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer