Thank You

The #8/9 UCLA Bruins are currently 6-0 and have a legitimate shot at heading into the Coliseum 10-0 against a #1 ranked Trojan team. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's say thank you to a team that has overcome injuries, slow starts, and a lack of national recognition to launch UCLA to some of its gritty wins in a long, long time. Without further ado, memories from the 6-0 start and a big thank you...

Thanks for the Help!
The Not-So-Big D-Line - Okay, so we've had some trouble stopping the run. A lot of trouble actually. But Moline/Hickman/Morgan/Davis/Dragovic/Lombard/Skaggs/Brown have stepped up when it matters (the 4th) and there's no way UCLA is 6-0 without big stops.
Andrew Baumgartner, WR - 4th and 1, trailing against Washington. 5 yard grab, first down. Best receiver wearing #37 in the country.
Michael Pitre, FB - 1st and 10, 16 yard run vs. Cal. Huge fake punt handoff to Jarrad Page. Just block big fella.
Chris Markey, RB - Let's face it - MJD can't do it all, and while he's not quite Manny White, Markey's more than proficient pounding between the tackles. Nice change of pace, and only that one big fumble vs. Cal...
Trey Brown, CB - Big pick vs. Cal
Justin London/John Hale, LB - The current and future glue of the linebacker core (Havner's a complete different category); neither has been brilliant, but big stops at big times.
The Big O-Line - Protection for Drew Olson has been fairly solid; no big, back-breaking holding penalties. 4.6 YPC for the offense is quite solid. Big 'ol Blanton and McCloskey have held down the fort.

We Don't Win Without...
Gavin Ketchum/Joe Cowan/Brandon Breazell, WRs - All three receivers have had their moments - both good and bad (i.e. dropped 50 yard pass through Cowan's hands vs. Cowan's huge first half against WSU). Overall, each has been huge covering for Junior Taylor's injury.
Marcus Cassell, CB - I can't even remember the last time Cassell got beaten deep. He's covered well, stopped the run, and completely solidifed the defensive backfield.
Jarrad Page, S - 38 yard fake punt on 4th and 4 is arguably the play of the year (there have been very, very many).
Justin Medlock, K - The most underrated 4th quarter tradition at the Rose Bowl is UCLA scoring a touchdown to cut a lead to single digits, and Medlock waving his arms in the air frantically, trying to pump up the crowd. Check it out next time.
The "Every Man, Woman, and Child" Dude, YS (Yell Squad) - It goes without saying that this man has more influence on the crowd than any other individual in the Rose Bowl. Simply put, he jacks you up. And who knows if Washington/Cal comebacks happen without the crowd getting JACKED UP!
Marcedes Lewis, TE - Big, big grabs have been expected out of this big, big man, and he has produced big, big time. Let's just get him the ball more, ya?...
Tom Cable, OC (Offensive Coordinator) - I wish we'd run the ball more consistently, but you can't argue with TC's play calling when it matters. Spread, deep, and tons of MJD = points.

The Studs
Dennis Keyes, S - No one expected much out of this safety, but he saved the Cal game with two TD saving tackles on Forsett, and has been all over the field making stops. The most underrated player on this team, bar none.
Marcus Everett, WR - The #1 receiver on this team, without a doubt. 39 yard run down the sideline vs. Washington was the play of the game. 38 yard grab in coverage vs. Cal helped win it. Game tying TD grab vs. WSU was (dare I say it?) eerily reminiscent of The Catch. Mr. Clutch.
Karl Dorrell, Coach - Much maligned, year after year. And he still isn't quite sure what to do with the clock, but our coach has cajones. Play call of the year with the fake punt; the grit and determination to keep his boys fighting; the emotion on the sidelines with the game in the balance. Definitely the coach of the year for the Pac-10. A UCLA team has never overachieved, never shown toughness nor heart, yet this one has pulled off 3 comeback wins and is defying typical stereotypes (give the national press some time).

Heart, Soul, and Wins - The Big 3
3. Spencer Havner, LB - HUUUUUUGE. When the entire defense can't tackle (most of the time), Havner decides to put the D on his back and stop EVERYBODY. 4th quarter of Cal became Lynch vs. Havner, one on one - I think we know who won. While the rest of the D is pretty good at wrapping up and letting go, there's no more reassuring sight than #41 around the ballcarrier.
2. Drew Olson, QB - He's already received an entire love column, but it's time to hand #14 some more props. 67.5% passing, 15 TDs and 3 picks. 6-0. He's gone beyond simply not messing up - he's put his heart into this team. Layout scramble at the 1, upended by two defenders (with that bad ACL). 4th and short vs. WSU, avoids being sacked, fights off the D-lineman (while in his grasp) for a good 3 seconds and gets a throw off. Mobility, strength, accuracy. This is DEW OLSON. He won't get any Heisman recognition (MJD deserves that), but he's elevated this team from a potential contender to an actual force. He says he hates coming from behind and all the pressure, but he's getting damn good at it... and no, we still do not want Ben.
1. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB - "Poor Man's Reggie Bush" before this season, but it's safe to say MJD is on par with the best player in college football (that's quite a statement). Leads the country in punt return average, scores on the ground and through the air; MJD essentially is the Bruins offense. A few notable memories of the year: 1 yard TD run vs. Cal where he trucked the defender and stared him down... the 81 yard punt return vs. Cal where every single person on the field knew Cal was bringing everyone to stop him, and he still busted through... pushing through for the TD vs. WSU to win the game, popping up from the pile and yelling. Ladies and gentleman, we've got a bonafide Heisman candidate on our hands. Power, speed, moves. MJD keeps the offense flowing like his dreads and makes us tingle with excitement every time he touches the ball.

From top to bottom, this Bruin squad has received the contributions needed. It certainly hasn't been easy, and it won't get any easier, but if the desire to win remains, if the willpower to stick out all the effort in the next four games, we'll have an LA showdown that will make even USC a bit jittery to play us. The critics may look at the past and use that knowledge to doubt the present, but they don't take into account a new simple fact - we've got heart. And maybe, just maybe, if we catch every break and get gosh darn lucky enough, heart will take us to a 7th game at the Rose Bowl this season. Until we lose, I'll keep the dreams alive...

Love, Hate, and Drew Olson

Inconsistent. Overthrows receivers, tries too hard to thread the needle. Immobile, lacks the ability to improvise. Shaky in the pocket, erratic on the run. Locks onto receivers without considering other options. Occasional poor decision making. Lack of leadership. Inconsistent player on inconsistent team.

Hits his targets. Checks down well, makes good decisions. Spreads offense out and picks them apart. Rolls out well, good throws on the run. Scrambles well and lays it all out on the field. Has guided team to 4 victories and 0 losses.

These two descriptions may seem to be very different players, and as it turns out, they essentially are. #1 is Drew Olson, Sophomore/Junior QB for the UCLA Bruins, the fans' #1 target of ridicule for a talented yet disappointing team. #2 is Drew Olson, Senior QB for the UCLA Bruins, and the single biggest reason for why the UCLA Bruins are 4-0 heading into a game with Cal.

For the record - I hated Drew Olson last year. There was no one better at tantalizing the fans by moving the ball efficiently down the field, and likewise, no one better at killing the momentum with a game-changing interception. For example, with the crowd going crazy and a legitimate chance to drive down the field and take down USC, Drew Olson managed to throw an interception on the first (and only) play of the last drive en route to a 5-point loss. Most in the crowd had no idea what had happened until USC trotted out for the final kneel down.

Fast forward to this season - coming off an injury in the Wyoming game that sidelined him for most of the offseason, Olson endured consistent hype of the heralded freshman Ben Olson, as well as the loss of favorite targets Craig Bragg and Tab Perry. And yet, while he hasn't been spectacular, Drew Olson has managed to do exactly what the Bruins need. A consistent QB who can run a spread offense, and pick apart a defense without making mistakes.

But Olson's newfound influence extends beyond throwing the ball. This UCLA squad has shown some serious heart, withstanding the loss of #1 receiver Junior Taylor and overcoming an ugly performance vs. Washington (Olson is much to blame for this) to battle back and pull off the W. Perhaps no play embodies the new Drew Olson better than the final play of the 3rd quarter vs. the Huskies. Olson rolls out, sees no one open, sprints towards the end zone and jumps in the air only to be upended by two defenders a la John Elway. That's some serious heart and hustle, and lets your teammates know that you're willing to lay it all on the line. One play later, Olson to Pietre, TD.

And so we Bruin fans charge on, enduring punks in the stands who have the audacity and stupidity to constantly chant "We Want Ben" for three quarters and criticize Dorrell for taking a timeout on 4th and 1 with the game on the line (this column is dedicated to that idiot - get ready for some trashing) while we believe that #14 can guide us to a happy season. Ben Olson may (or may not be, realize he hasn't played in two years) be the future, but when you're 4-0 and your QB is one of the top 10 rated passers in college football, the very last thing you do is pull the plug on him. Criticize the playcalling, the coaching, whatever, just don't rip Drew Olson for putting his bad knee and his entire body out on the line to try to score a TD, and definitely don't say "Ben would have scored!" because Drew Olson showed this school that he's finally come into his own.

Well look at that. A vehement defense of Drew Olson - never thought that'd happen. Who knows, maybe he'll revert back to his old self, throwing drive-killing interceptions and struggling against poor defenses. And if he does, he'll certainly drag UCLA back to the underachieving squad they've been for the past several seasons. But until then, the #16/#20 2005 Bruins will give us all faith that this year may be special. My hopes are pinned on #14, and if you're going to argue for someone else, I'm going down fighting for Mr. Drew Olson.