The UCLA Bruins entered fall camp this season with a quarterback battle raging between 23-year-old sophomore Ben Olson and sophomore Patrick Cowan.
And, as many projected, Olson earned the starting nod from Bruins’ coach Karl Dorrell, who was quoted as saying, “We are fortunate to have two really good, solid quarterbacks.”
But now Dorrell is down to one after an injury to Olson, and he hopes that early-season competition and depth pays dividends when his Bruins pay a visit Saturday to play No. 18 Oregon – a team looking to avenge its 45-24 loss to California last weekend.
Olson suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Saturday in the first quarter of UCLA’s 27-7 victory against Arizona and is likely out four to six weeks, leaving Cowan to make his first career start on the road at Autzen Stadium.
“Our team will rally around him,” Dorrell told the AP. “As the starter, Ben got 70 percent of the reps (in practice). He (Cowan) watched and always registered what to do. He stays involved in the game plan.”
Cowan – a 6-foot-5, 224-pounder and the brother of UCLA senior flanker Joe Cowan – entered Saturday’s game against Arizona with just one total completion for four yards, and has played in just five previous games in his two seasons.
But he filled in admirably Saturday in Olson’s absence. On the subsequent drive following Olson’s injury, Cowan showed that he was more than capable by orchestrating a six-play, 43-yard march in which he completed all four of his passes, including a seven-yard strike to Marcus Everett that gave UCLA a 7-0 lead.
Cowan completed 20 of 29 passes for 201 yards, no interceptions and two touchdowns on the day and also was UCLA’s second-leading rusher with 16 total yards on four attempts.
“He did a very nice job,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. “He made some really tough plays under pressure against Arizona. I thought he looked like a veteran quarterback.”
Dorrell said he did not hold back any of UCLA’s playbook when Cowan entered the game – including rolling right-handed Cowan to the left, a play designed for the left-handed Olson.
“I wanted Pat to come out blazing,” Dorrell said. “We thought, ‘We’re not just going to slow down and get his feet wet.’”
Bellotti said that Oregon will be prepared for anything and, with a lack of film on Cowan, the Ducks will attempt to defend against UCLA’s general offensive plays and system.
“This week, they will have things that cater to Cowan’s strength,” Bellotti said. “I would anticipate we’ll see some different things than we’ve seen the first four or five games of the season (from UCLA).
“Cowan seems very comfortable … He seems to be ready to play.”
As for making his first career start in a hostile environment?
“We’ll see what happens with the noise levels in Autzen, but I’m sure they’re preparing for it,” Bellotti said.
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon can relate to Cowan’s situation. As a sophomore last season, Dixon filled in for injured starter Kellen Clemens. His first start came against No. 23 California at Autzen Stadium, and he played his first road game at hostile Martin Stadium against Washington State. Both were victories and now, as a junior, Dixon is 7-2 in his career as the starter.
Fortunately for Dixon, he had the luxury of a bye week prior to his first start.
“I had a whole week to prepare and another week before that,” Dixon said. “The best advice I can give to him is just take time and be patient.”
News and Notes
The injury list, primarily on the defensive side of the ball, has reached a state of crisis, Bellotti said. Oregon lost four defensive starters in the first four weeks of the season, and the numbers continue to grow. Added to the list is reserve strong safety and special teams member Jerome Boyd, who is likely out 4-6 weeks with a torn MCL. Kicker Paul Martinez is listed day-to-day after coming out of the game early in the first half against Cal with a sore quad. Also listed day-to-day is wide receiver Cameron Colvin, who injured his hamstring. Wide receivers Garren Strong and Derrick Jones are probable, as is safety J.D. Nelson (knee).
The area needing the biggest boost is the defensive line, which has lost starter Cole Linehan.
Defensive end Victor Filipe may see his first action of the season Saturday after suffering an elbow injury prior to the season-opener, Bellotti said.
“The first concern is his safety,” he said. “But, given the state of our defensive line, a healthy Victor Filipe would make a significant difference.”
Inauspicious Starts
Dating back to the season-opener against Stanford, Oregon’s first offensive play in three of its five games this season have resulted in turnovers or near turnovers. The Jordan Kent fumbled on a catch and run against Fresno State and Dixon threw an interception last week at Cal. Dixon attempted a shovel pass to Brian Paysinger on the first play against Stanford that was called a fumble, but reviewed and ruled an incomplete pass.
Bellotti joked that his 12-year-old son Sean offered a brilliant strategy – how about taking a knee on the first play?
“It might be the excitement, it might be a special play,” Bellotti said of the first-play jitters. “Given that, this play (against UCLA) may be a very vanilla-type play.”
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