Bruins report: Inside slant
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside slant · Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel
 

The high the Bruins started to feel with new coach Rick Neuheisel quickly turned into a depressing low when quarterbacks Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan were carted off the field on the same day.

UCLA probably will head into fall workouts with JC transfer Kevin Craft, highly regarded recruit Nick Crissman and possibly Kevin Prince in contention for the starting quarterback job in the season opener against Tennessee.

This is not exactly what offensive coordinator Norm Chow thought was going to be the scenario when he was hired.

"I have full confidence in Norm Chow. I have full confidence in the kids to give everything they've got," Neuheisel said. "We're going to find a way to play that position well."

Cowan is out for the season after suffering cartilage and ligament damage to his left knee. He will have to petition for a sixth year of eligibility. Olson is out for almost two months with a broken bone in his right foot.

The injuries happened one day before the final scrimmage of the spring.

Olson is expected to return by August, but injuries have clouded his playing time since day one, leaving Craft as a possible starter.

Craft responded by completing 11 of 24 passes in the spring scrimmage finale for 95 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

"He's just going too fast. He almost is hyperventilating, he's trying so hard," Neuheisel said.

If the quarterback situation wasn't bad enough, there has been a constant snapping exchange problem.

Fall camp will have more meaning, that's for sure.

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