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.