Olson Gets Attention of Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State Coach Les Miles drew a conclusion watching Drew Olson.

“Any time you bring in a freshman in that situation, you have confidence in him,” said Miles, whose team plays host to UCLA on Saturday.

He marveled at Bruin Coach Bob Toledo’s improbable decision to insert the freshman quarterback late in the third quarter of a game UCLA trailed Saturday against Colorado State. Despite a shaky first series, Olson remained in the game and directed a 52-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter that gave the Bruins a lead they did not relinquish.

Toledo clearly believes in Olson, who completed two of three passes. Senior Cory Paus remains the starter, but the coach said Olson would play in the next three games. And it might again be with the outcome on the line.

“I want him to play when it’s still a game,” Toledo said. “I wouldn’t put a young man in a game if I didn’t feel he was physically capable and mentally prepared. He is very sharp.”

After a shaky first half, Paus got sharper, completing five passes in a row on UCLA’s first possession of the third quarter. Olson was about to enter the game late in the first half, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty extended Colorado State’s last drive.

Paus, who threw a second-quarter interception, was grateful he wasn’t removed until getting a chance to redeem himself.

“It was a great decision not to take me out in the second quarter,” he said. “After I threw the interception I was getting booed already, and taking me out would have caused more boos.”

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Senior Chris Griffith was nine for 14 on field-goal attempts of 40-49 yards before missing from 41 yards in the second quarter against Colorado State. He was 14 for 17 from 30-39 yards before missing from 32 yards in the third quarter.

Reliability has always been Griffith’s best asset, but he missed the first kick so badly it struck a Colorado State defender on the hip. The second try duck-hooked to the left. “I had my best pregame in three years, I felt so good,” he said. “The snaps and holds were good, there is no excuse. I’ve moved on.”

Griffith has come through so often--he is 34 for 49 in his career--his teammates consider him the least of the Bruins’ concerns.

“Chris has made big kicks for us, and he’ll make more of them,” Ricky Manning said.

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Ben Emanuel’s 89-yard fumble return on Colorado State’s two-point conversion attempt with 1:32 to play resulted in two points, extending UCLA’s lead to 23-19.

It also resulted in head scratching in the stands. Why were the Bruins awarded only two points? Why was he allowed to run the fumble back at all?

A rule change a few years ago allows the defense to score on a turnover during a two-point conversion attempt. Previously the play was blown dead on the change of possession. The score is worth two points because that is all the offense can score if the try is successful.

Confusion was understandable--it was the first defensive conversion in UCLA history.

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Senior middle linebacker Marcus Reese, who had nine tackles in his first start, sprained an ankle during the Colorado State game but is probable for Saturday. Fullback Pat Norton, who missed the game because of an ankle injury, also is probable.