Clearly no college football team had the misfortune that UCLA did one day this spring, as on consecutive plays the Bruins lost their two senior quarterbacks. Patrick Cowan sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, prematurely ending his 2008 season. Then Ben Olson suffered a broken bone in his foot.

Cowan’s injury gave the starting job to Olson, who has had injury issues since joining the Bruins, starting only 10 games in two years. He threw for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and UCLA needed him back on the field ASAP with a tough opener against Tennessee looming and a new offense under Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow.

Well, finally some good news in Westwood: Olson has been cleared by doctors, paving the way for his return to the field after missing two months, about right on schedule. Olson sustained a break in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot on April 24, the final day of spring practice before UCLA’s scrimmage.

“It’s a huge relief,” Olson said. “Any time you get hurt, you never know how long it will take. You question if you will ever be back. It’s nice to feel that it’s progressing and we’re moving forward.”

Olson said he has been throwing recently but was doing so while stationary. After running on the treadmill, he said threw to several teammates and did some drop-backs, though not at full speed.

Olson has thrown for 1,873 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his three-year career. A former No. 1 national recruit, the 6-foot-5 lefty said he was confident he would have no restrictions at the start of training camp on Aug. 5.

“I’m happy with where I’m at,” Olson said. “I’m excited for the chance we have this season and to make the most of it.” 

Olson got back just in time as transfer Kevin Craft, a former starter at San Diego State, was making a move to take over the starting spot. Craft took over most of the reps on the final days of workouts.

Related posts on The Red Zone Report

• Bruins just can’t keep their QBs healthy (1)
• 2008 UCLA Bruins Preview: Can Neuheisel get UCLA headed in the right direction? (2)