Cowan to start against USC

After hinting for more than a week that sophomore Ben Olson may return as the starter at quarterback against No. 2 USC on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said Wednesday that he was sticking with Patrick Cowan.

“We’re going to go with Pat,” Dorrell said. “I talked to both of them about it and they understood. Ben understood too. Pat has a little more seasoning because of all the experience he’s been playing with over the last several weeks.”

Because of team policy, both quarterbacks were unavailable for comment.

“I can’t really question the decision,” senior wide receiver Junior Taylor said. “I know Ben wanted to be out there, he wanted to play. It’s a tough call. But Pat has been out there for the last couple of weeks and it’s been a while since Ben has been out there.

“We’re going to be playing a fast defense and we’re going to need the quarterback to be able to run a lot. This could be a decision that is looking for the future.”

Cowan will be making his seventh consecutive start since Olson sustained a torn knee ligament against Arizona on Oct. 7. He helped the Bruins defeat Arizona and has played well in late-season wins over Oregon State and Washington State.

“Pat has improved the last six games,” Dorrell said. “He has a good feel of what we’re doing. He understands the speed of the game a little bit better at this point in time given that one has had a long time off and he’s been playing. They are all strong factors.”

Cowan has passed for more touchdowns and yards this season, but Olson has completed a higher percentage of his passes. In the end, the determining factor is that the coach wants to make sure that Olson, who has not played in a game since returning to practice in late October, is at full speed.

“Ben is really close and he’ll be ready to go if we come across that in the game,” Dorrell said.

Olson started the first five games of the season and was 3-1 in games he finished. Dorrell said the decision does not mean Cowan will start against Florida State in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 27.

“We’ll have to see about that,” Dorrell said. “This doesn’t say anything long term.... This is just the best situation for us right now to have Pat start the game.”

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UCLA will be the first team from the Pacific 10 Conference to play in the Emerald Bowl.... Defensive tackle Chase Moline did not practice Wednesday because of back spasms.

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When it comes to a big game, the best most teams can ask for is a level playing field. But UCLA and USC will get something much better Saturday: a brand-new field, installed in the three weeks since the Bruins’ last home game.

Stadium officials typically have a new playing surface put in for each Rose Bowl game at a cost of about $100,000. The timing this year was such that the turf could be rolled out earlier than usual. Within a half-hour after UCLA’s Nov. 11 victory over Oregon State, stadium crews began removing sprinkler heads and ripping out sections of the field so new sod could be set.

Darryl Dunn, Rose Bowl general manager, said the field would be pristine Saturday and even better for the Jan. 1 game because the already lush surface would have another month to mature.

“The field will be a 10 on Saturday,” he said, “and a 10 1/2 for the Rose Bowl game.”

Times staff writer Sam Farmer contributed to this report.

lonnie.white@latimes.com