We’re sorry, Drew Olson

It’s seven games into the season and the sixth-ranked
Bruins have yet to lose a single game. While the Bruins have
improved over last season’s squad in many aspects of the
game, the superior play of Drew Olson has got to be their biggest
development.

Olson finds himself fifth in the nation in passer efficiency,
passing for 1,874 yards with 21 touchdowns while throwing only
three interceptions. Three in the season. There was a time when he
threw two or three in a game, almost every game. That time has long
since passed us by, and it is evident that Olson is a new
player.

Further testament to Olson’s breakout senior season is his
recent nomination as one of seven finalists for the Johnny Unitas
Golden Arm Award, given annually to the nation’s most
outstanding senior quarterback. Recent recipients include Eli
Manning and Carson Palmer of the NFL’s New York Giants and
Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.

Olson’s performance in his senior campaign merits an
apology from those who mockingly applauded when he completed his
warm-up passes, those who complained that he held on to the ball
too long, and those who wondered if he purposely threw to the other
guys.

So, on behalf of all UCLA fans who doubted him…

Dear Drew Olson, I’m sorry for rooting for Matt Moore.
I’m sorry I chanted his name when you were in at
quarterback.

I’m sorry that after Moore transferred, I thought that
UCLA should come up with a way to raffle off each week’s
starting quarterback position to one lucky fan.

I’m sorry for being thrilled to find out Ben Olson
wasn’t related to you. I’m sorry for believing that it
meant we had a chance. I’m sorry for ever bringing genetics
into a football discussion.

I’m sorry for reading all the way through Jeff
Eisenberg’s column about how your knee injury could be the
best thing for our football team.

I’m sorry for agreeing with him.

I’m sorry for saying that having you at quarterback helped
develop our punters.

I’m sorry for cheering every time you handed the ball off,
even if it was 3rd and 11.

I’m sorry for saying that our cheerleaders could throw
people better than you could throw footballs.

I’m sorry for yelling at you. I didn’t mean to be so
abrasive.

I’m sorry for thinking you were the slowest man on
campus.

I’m sorry for still thinking you’re slow, but
appreciate your uncanny ability to find the first down marker
almost every time you scramble.

I’m sorry for thinking I could do better. I can see how
success in C-League IM flag football wouldn’t exactly
translate to success in Division I-A college football.

I’m sorry for blaming the 2003 season, where the team
consistently went 2nd and 16, 3rd and 14, and punt, all on you.

I’m sorry for not buying a Student Sports Package this
year. I’m sorry for checking who the starting quarterback was
and immediately deciding that it would be more convenient and less
upsetting to watch you throw interceptions on TV.

I’ll be the first to admit it: I was wrong about you Drew
Olson, and to tell you the truth, I couldn’t be happier about
it. You’ve proven that you can come back against a ranked
opponent, proven that you can come back on the road, and in doing
so you’ve given life to football in Westwood.

Thank you. I hope you and the rest of the Bruins continue to
prove the doubters wrong.

E-mail Trang at [email protected].