UCLA NOTEBOOK: MOORE SAYS HE'S SHOWN ENOUGH.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

FULLERTON - UCLA coaches continue to say the quarterback race is too tight to call entering today's tell-tale scrimmage at Cal State Fullerton, but Matt Moore said he's demonstrated enough to win the starting job.

``I think I have shown them, but there's a lot more stuff that I can do,'' the Hart High of Newhall product said Friday. ``I can eliminate just the little mistakes. Just be smart. Don't do anything stupid, which happens sometimes.''

The coaching staff acknowledged Drew Olson had a slight edge heading into fall camp, but Moore has been more consistent and might have a slight lead now.

Either way, both could see significant playing time this season from the way the coaching staff is speaking.

``The bottom line is a successful quarterback has the ability to take the snap and make the offense better because of his play, and you're really not going to find that out until you get to the games,'' Bruins offensive coordinator Steve Axman said. ``That's the bottom line. It may be that one guy starts and takes three or four series and isn't doing much, and the next guy goes in and all of a sudden the ball is being moved real well.

``Then, that guy is the guy. He may get the ball and keep going until he slows down. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happens.''

In other words, whoever starts Sept. 6 at Colorado isn't a given to finish the game, let alone start the next week.

First-year coach Karl Dorrell said both Olson and Moore would get opportunities to work with the first-team offense and against the first-team defense in the scrimmage.

Olson admitted to having shaky practice sessions Monday and Tuesday, but he said his play the latter part of the week improved. He also is comfortable with his knowledge of the offense.

``I'll do whatever coaches want,'' Olson said. ``If it means me starting, then I'm starting. If it means me backing up, I'll play that role. Whatever they want, I'll do.''

Dorrell said previously a two-quarterback system was possible but not ideal because it would cut down on much-needed repetitions for the quarterbacks in practice. After watching Moore and Olson the past few days, Dorrell said using one quarterback is possible.

``I'm leaning in the direction of having one,'' Dorrell said. ``It might end up being two, but I think what's best for our football team is to know they have one quarterback.''

Dorrell hopes to announce the starter for the Sept. 6 game at Colorado by Wednesday.

--Ebell update: UCLA tailback Tyler Ebell missed the morning practice and was a bystander in the afternoon, but he was much-relieved to learn all the tests he underwent for fatigue came back normal.

Ebell underwent another precautionary test in the morning and didn't expect to have results until late Friday or early today.

``Everything is fine,'' Ebell said. ``It wasn't my idea to go take tests.''

However, Ebell wasn't cleared to practice and could be held out of today's scrimmage and practice for the next day or two. He said the abundance of injuries at running back - Akil Harris, Maurice Drew, Derrick Williams and Wendell Mathis were each hurt earlier in the week - might have played a role in his problem.

``I was taking reps for three other running backs,'' Ebell said. ``That might have contributed to it.''

--Kick up, no good: UCLA's lack of experience in the kicking game continues to be a concern.

The Bruins ran a two-minute drill at the end of practice to give redshirt freshman Justin Medlock the chance to hit a simulated game-ending field goal. Medlock missed twice.

Medlock has a strong leg and regularly makes 50-yard field goals in practice, but he has been inconsistent throughout camp.

--Ware vs. Bragg: The intensity and hard work of practice boiled over for a pair of normally calm, cool players when cornerback Matt Ware and receiver Craig Bragg were involved in a tussle in the morning practice. Teammates broke up the fracas, and the day continued without incident.

--Odds and ends: Wide receiver Junior Taylor suffered a sprained ankle and could be held out of the scrimmage. ... Linebacker Justin London (ankle) and center Mike McCloskey (concussion) were held out of practice. ... Tight end Keith Carter (hip) continues to rehabilitate but said he wouldn't be ready for the opener. However, Carter added he hopes to return for the Sept. 13 game against Illinois. ... Defensive lineman Charles Thompson, who played for Cal State Northridge before the program was shut down, was admitted to UCLA and will begin working out as a walk-on Sunday. ... Cal State Fullerton is charging $5 for admission to the scrimmage, which begins at 11 a.m. ... The Bruins will return to the UCLA campus after the scrimmage and continue workouts in Westwood on Sunday.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Matt Moore, who said he's demonstrated enough to win UCLA's starting quarterback job, might have the edge.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer