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UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell said he was pleased with the progress of quarterback Ben Olson, who practiced today and should be available for duty on Saturday.
Patrick Cowan took the majority of the snaps today and will certainly be a big part of the game plan on Saturday.
UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and Rose Bowl General Manager Darryl Dunn both sent out statements today about the possibility of USC playing its home football games at the Rose Bowl:
Dan Guerrero:
This statement is to clarify UCLA’s position regarding the possibility of USC becoming a temporary secondary tenant at the Rose Bowl.
First, there is no agreement in place. At the request of USC, UCLA permitted USC to have preliminary discussions with the Rose Bowl regarding the possibility of temporary usage while it continues to negotiate with the Coliseum Commission. This is where the matter presently stands.
Any possible agreement would be for one year and subject to approval by UCLA. No long-term arrangement between USC and the Rose Bowl would even be considered by UCLA. Our position as the primary tenant is protected by our long-term lease, which runs through 2023.
Any temporary usage by USC at the Rose Bowl would have to be non-impactful on UCLA, our football program and our fans. Any such arrangement would have to ensure that the integrity of the UCLA football experience for our team and fans would not be compromised in any way. The Rose Bowl is UCLA’s home venue and the occupancy of any additional tenant on a temporary basis, if approved by UCLA, must be clearly secondary to that concept.
I feel that it is in the best interest of college football in Southern California for each institution to have its own home stadium and I remain hopeful that USC and the Coliseum Commission can reach a satisfactory accord.
Darryl Dunn:
We have been approached by the University of Southern California related to playing its home games at the Rose Bowl on a short-term basis but we have made no commitments in any fashion.
Our primary tenant at the Rose Bowl is UCLA and we have an excellent relationship and working agreement with the university. UCLA has exclusive college football rights as part of its long-term agreement with the Rose Bowl and would have to approve USC playing its home games in the Rose Bowl.
The governing body of the Rose Bowl is the Rose Bowl Operating Company and our board of directors will be meeting next Thursday evening. We plan to hold a limited discussion of any potential lease negotiation in closed, executive session at the meeting.
In accord with California’s open meeting laws, there would be an announcement in open session of any reportable action taken. However, at this time it is highly unlikely that any final action will be taken or reported.
We have kept UCLA informed of any and all discussions we have had with USC related to its plans for home games in the near future. Our discussions with USC have been at a preliminary stage of negotiation.
We are open to assisting USC on a short-term basis if this meets with the desires of UCLA and our board of directors of the Rose Bowl Operating Company.
Everyone expected that freshman Brian Price from Crenshaw High would be an impact player. Even though his entry into college football was delayed until the fourth game of the year, it looks as if he's been noticed.
Price has been named second-team Freshman All-America by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He has also been named to The Sporting News' Pac-10 All-Freshman team.
UCLA Sports Information Director Marc Dellins sent this notice to media that cover the Bruins this evening:
"UCLA is aware that USC has contacted the Rose Bowl about the possibility of playing its home games in Pasadena next season while it continues to work on a lease with the Los Angeles Coliseum.
"UCLA’s long-term lease protects its position as the primary tenant. In the context of its ongoing partnership with the Rose Bowl, UCLA is willing to review any proposal regarding an additional tenant, after which UCLA would enter into the necessary discussions with both the city of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl regarding the feasibility of such an arrangement.
"‘While we are, of course, willing to explore this possibility,’ said Pete Blackman, UCLA Administrative Vice Chancellor, Emeritus and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics, ‘protecting the ongoing integrity of the UCLA football program must be our highest priority.’"
Comment: USC’s interests are best served by staying at the Coliseum, but after a year of inconclusive negotiations with the Coliseum Commission, nerves at University Park are frayed. Having visited the Coliseum two weeks ago for a meeting, this grand old facility badly needs the infrastructure refurbishment that USC is committed to providing.
USC wants to stay at the Coliseum, but it makes sense for the university to at least explore a move to the Rose Bowl to add pressure to the delusional commissioners who refuse to give up the ghost of an NFL franchise there. If USC were to move -– and it’s a long shot -– it would eliminate the last remaining tenant of a facility that has hosted –- and already lost -– the Los Angeles Dons of the AAFC, the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL, and UCLA. That would add to the list of tenants lost by the Coliseum Commission at the Sports Arena: UCLA, USC, the NBA Lakers and Clippers and the Kings of the NHL.
From UCLA Sports Information:
"Junior point guard Darren Collison completed his first full practice with contact today since spraining his left knee (MCL) in the Bruins' exhibition game vs. Azusa Pacific on Nov. 2. He is a game-time decision for tomorrow's contest with George Washington.
"Junior forward/center Alfred Aboya completed his first full practice with contact today since fracturing his right orbital floor in the Bruins' win over Yale on Nov. 23. His protective eyewear (goggles) came in today and he will play tomorrow against George Washington.
"Junior guard Michael Roll practiced today with contact for about 50 minutes for the first time since rupturing his left plantar fascia in practice on Nov. 3. It is doubtful that he will play tomorrow against George Washington."
 It's Blue & Gold Week at UCLA and there are lots and lots of events scheduled. The following is only a selection:
>> Tuesday, November 27:
A float-building party will be held on campus at the North Concourse of Pauley Pavilion beginning at 9 p.m. this evening. The floats will be used for Thursday night’s parade.
>> Wednesday, November 28:
A "Get the Red Out" blood drive (!) will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on campus on the second floor of the Ackerman Student Union.
>> Thursday, November 29:
The Lexus Gauntlet Blood Drive will be on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Los Angeles Tennis Center clubhouse on campus. If you would like to make an appointment in advance, visit www.givelife.org and enter the sponsor code: "uclarivalry".
The Rotary Club’s annual UCLA-USC Football Rally Luncheon will be held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles (251 S. Olive Street) with a reception beginning at 11 a.m. and the luncheon at noon. The cost is $40 and the two head coaches will say some nice things about each other. For reservations, call (213) 624-8601 ext. 110 or send an e-mail to elrodeo@rotaryla5.org and mention the Football Rally luncheon.
A moderated on-line chat with UCLA’s 1967 Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban will take place on CSTV.com at noon Pacific time. Questions for Beban can be submitted ahead of time at uclabruins.com.
A "Stamp Out the Red" pinata smash will be held on campus at the Wooden Center, beginning at 5 p.m.
The annual "Beat SC" parade, bonfire and rally will start with pre-parade activities on "The Hill" (the student housing zone north of Young Drive) at 7 p.m., followed by the parade itself at 8 p.m. and the bonfire and rally at Wilson Plaza (at the end of Westwood Boulevard) at 9 p.m. The 2007 UCLA women’s water polo team, which won the school’s 100th NCAA team title, will be the Grand Marshals and will be accompanied by the Bruin Marching Band and Spirit Squad.
>> Friday, November 30:
The final meeting of the season of the Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club will be held at The Olympic Collection at the corner of Sawtelle and Olympic Boulevards in West Los Angeles beginning at 7 a.m. UCLA wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Scott and defensive line genius Todd Howard will speak, along with several players. Plus all the usual noise from the UCLA Yell Crew, performances from the national champion Dance Team and a plea from Alumni cheerleader Geoff Strand for "every man, woman and child" to support the Bruins. The price for a very nice breakfast and the program is $24. For more information or tickets, please contact Claudia Hart at (310) 348-UCLA or claudia4ucla@yahoo.com.
The Lexus Gauntlet Blood Drive will be on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Ackerman Student Union. If you would like to make an appointment in advance, visit www.givelife.org and enter the sponsor code: "uclarivalry".
>> Saturday, December 1:
A "Bruin Bash" party will be held at the Los Angeles Swim Stadium (site of the 1932 Olympic Games!) adjacent to the Coliseum from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be plenty of food and drink, performances by the UCLA Marching Band and Spirit Squad as well as the UCLA radio pre-game show on KLAC AM 570 with Wayne Cook and Matt Stevens. Tickets are $36 for adults and $20 for children; call the UCLA Fan Travel Office at (310) 206-2873 for more information and reservations.
If you have any energy left, the actual UCLA-USC game will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Coliseum. It will be televised locally on ABC with Terry Gannon and former Bruin quarterback David Norrie on the call. As always, the game will be radiocast on KLAC AM 570 with Chris Roberts, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook calling the action.
Ben Olson photo courtesy UCLA.
 Say goodbye to the Flaming Hawk, for now.
Bruin guard Russell Westbrook came to the Morgan Center for an interview session today, resplendent in a conservative, close-cropped hairstyle, mock turtleneck and a pair of non-prescription, black-rimmed glasses that gave him a bookish appearance well beyond his 19 years.
Will he have another wild style to share before the end of the season? "Maybe, maybe not," he said. Claiming his new look wasn’t anything special, he just said he was "switching styles, all the time."
On the court, he said he’s feeling no ill effects of having played the most minutes on the team, averaging 33.3 per game. "I think I’m in good shape. Over the summer, I’ve been working hard –- running and on the bike and things like that."
He’s looking forward to the George Washington game; he’s well aware that they’re a pressing team and he’ll be in the thick of the action.
Injured guard Michael Roll is enthusiastic about being so close to being able to play again. "A lot of it is mental," he said. "If the doctors clear me to play, then I should be able to be all right."
He has some worry about reinjuring his foot, possibly on a quick move or a cut, but "I hope to avoid that." Roll said, "It’s just kind of day by day. [Tomorrow’s game against GWU] might be it, but it might not, so I don’t know. If I’m dressed for warmups, then I’m probably going to play." He’s changed the way his foot is taped and continues to have special insoles in his shoes.
Once he does get back on the court, his primary concern will be "getting my game legs back in shape. I’m feeling like I’m in pretty good shape, but there’s nothing to tell that for a game; it’s always different. So that’s just going to take time."
Roll was conspicuous on television during the Bruin games in the CBE Classic in Kansas City, wearing a shirt and tie on the bench for both games. Asked why, since he usually wears casual clothes for home games, he said, "The home games are more of a casual thing, a familiar environment. But on the road, it’s big games, national television; I just felt it was necessary to be prepared on the bench, give that significance to the games."
But he added quickly, "I want to get back in uniform, though."
Russell Westbrook photo courtesy UCLA.
 UCLA head basketball Coach Ben Howland said that guards Darren Collison and Michael Roll are recovering, but almost . . . not yet . . . might be ready to play soon.
Collison has not been suffering any pain in his left knee, and Roll and forward James Keefe (recovering from shoulder surgery) have been participating in non-contact drills.
Howland felt Collison is close to returning, but that the final decision is up to the player. "For him, the biggest thing is just gaining confidence in [the knee]," said Howland. "And also, that brace restricts you a little bit. It’s just not as mobile as you would like, but I think each day he gets more and more confidence. I don’t decide, nor do the doctors or trainers. It’s when that kid is able to come back based on if he has any pain, which he’s not; he’s been through all the different tests. It’s still a comfort thing. Hopefully, he’s getting closer."
Asked about how the players will react to a change in the number of minutes available once all three injured Bruins return, Howland saw a positive: "Once Darren does get back, we will be able to rest the guys who are playing more minutes than I would like them to play. I don’t think it’s ideal to play a guy 40 minutes or 36 minutes a game. So Russell [Westbrook]’s minutes will hopefully be less than that and that will actually help him perform better. Same thing with Luc [Richard Mbah A Moute] and same thing with Josh [Shipp]. I would ideally like it so that no one plays more than 30 minutes a game, because I think you get a diminishing return when you get past a certain amount of minutes and not enough rest when you’re playing as hard as [Westbrook] plays.
"What makes it really difficult is where we improve is in practice and we haven’t been able to have the type of practices yet I would like to have because we’ve been injured. We’ve had 10 scholarship players healthy for practice since the first day of practice, twice. That’s hard."
Forward Alfred Aboya has been fitted with protective goggles after suffering a fracture of the floor of his right-eye socket, but is expected to be available for tomorrow night’s game against George Washington in Pauley Pavilion. "Alfred is extremely tough," Howland said. "His biggest question to me on Sunday night when I called him to see how he was doing was,'Can I practice tomorrow?’ Alfred is a real warrior."
About 2-1 George Washington, Howland said, "They’ve got some talent. We’re going to have to play well tomorrow. Two years ago, they were 27-3 and last year they were 23-9. It’s a very good program."
Unlike some of UCLA’s non-conference opponents, there’s no special relationship with GWU or its coach or a West Coast tour that suggested the matchup. The Colonials are coming 2,700 miles to play UCLA, Howland said, "because they were interested in coming out and playing us and they’re a good program and a good team to play against."
Ben Howland photo courtesy of UCLA.
 "I think other teams know what it feels like when you lose your quarterback and what you have to do to try to make things continue to be productive, and it’s been that kind of year in the Pac-10."
That’s as close as UCLA coach Karl Dorrell is going to get to explaining the actual impact of the Bruins’ carousel at quarterback that has come full circle with seasonal starter Ben Olson at the controls in last Saturday’s 16-0 win over Oregon.
"I know it wasn’t the prettiest of wins, particularly for our offense," he told a larger-than-usual audience in the Morgan Center Press Room on Monday, "but we did what was necessary for us to win the football game. We played with great defense, we played with really good special teams, we didn’t put the game in jeopardy.
"This is another opportunity for us this week. It is an unusual opportunity to be where we’ve had some unfortunate losses during the season and still have an opportunity to be a championship team this year. I know that it takes more than us just winning the game this weekend to do it, but nonetheless, we are in position to possibly achieve those possibilities."
Dorrell noted that to beat USC again, "We’re going to have to play two-thirds of how we played this last game. That means really good special teams, really good defense and improved offense. We’re going to have to play better offensively to put some points on the board. [USC] is a very good defense.
"Defensively, we’ve got to keep playing like we’re playing, but better, because this is a better personnel team. And special teams has been solid all season. So we need those two areas to continue doing what they’ve been doing and offensively, we’ve go to pick it up."
He indicated that the quarterback position is still unsettled, however: "Ben Olson is a little bit sore. He played the second half and played 39 plays and like most knee injuries, when you’re not completely healthy, then you’re going to have some soreness. So he was sore and we’ll see how the week unfolds for him.
"We got clearance to have Pat Cowan back this week, which is a good sign, too. So we may have the opportunity to have our top two quarterbacks that we started the beginning of this year with available for this game, which is a very good sign.
"We have no plan that’s definitely in place right now. We’re going to assess that position; I mentioned about Ben and his soreness, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. We’ll see how Pat works during the course of the week as well and then Osaar [Rashaan], we’re going to come to bring him along as well. There’s a possibility that we’re going to use more than one quarterback; we’re going to explore anything and everything for us to have some productivity this week." Look for the decision about who plays quarterback as late in the week as possible . . . and then have it change on gameday.
One area which hasn’t been a problem is kicking, especially from redshirt freshman Kai Forbath. "He hit one from 60 in pre-game," Dorrell said. "It looks like he could have hit from 65 the way he hit [his 54-yard make]. I gauge all the wind factors and everything when you’re putting a guy out there. He’s very confident; he’s going to be a tremendous kicker. He’s getting better and better and he’s building his confidence week in and week out."
On injuries, Dorrell said that "Korey Bosworth had a little bit of a hyper-extended elbow in the game, but was able to return. He’s sore, but he should be available this week. Chris Horton had a mild concession and he did not play in the second half. He’s already cleared with most of his symptoms, so he should be practicing tomorrow and we anticipate him being fine for the game. Jess Ward . . . had a little bit of a twinge in his knee in the course of the game and did not finish playing the game. He feels better this week, but he’s not completely healthy, but we’re hoping he’s going to be available to add depth for us on our defensive line."
Asked how his team has persevered this season, Dorrell pointed to their focus and desire to get better, even with so much talk of a coaching change. He said that applied to himself and his coaching staff, too. "I can’t let a lot of distractions affect what I’ve got to do as a coach. And that’s to coach this team to be as good as they can be, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of who is in the game and who is out of the game. We’ve got to play the game. Sometimes it’s not pretty, but you’ve still got to get better in some way, shape or form."
Dorrell also noted what he called the "fun" aspect of the UCLA-USC rivalry, especially since it pits two schools in the same city. But he knows what the real fun in this series is about: winning. "We made it a fun game last year, with playing a very good football game and we need to play a very similar game again. We’ll have to play our best game to have an opportunity to win it and we need all three areas to play very well. And that’s what we’re counting on."
Karl Dorrell photo courtesy of UCLA.
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