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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:29 p.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2008

CFB: UCLA quarterback Ben Olson's college career might be over

By Mark Saxon
The Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — Ben Olson stopped just short of declaring his season over, but all indications are the UCLA quarterback has played his last collegiate game.

Doctors examining a CT scan of Olson's right foot discovered the cracked bone in his foot has not entirely healed more than three months after he fractured it during fall camp. This week was considered Olson's narrow window to return, because it is UCLA's last bye.

After the Nov. 28 game against Arizona State, the Bruins faced No. 6 USC in the season finale.

"It's disappointing. I don't really know how else to say it," Olson said. "I feel like I've been saying that my whole career here."

Olson's career added up to 1,873 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, but it fell far short of many peoples' expectations. He missed long stretches with a hodgepodge of injuries, from breaking the same bone in his foot twice to knee and hand injuries and a concussion.

It's conceivable Olson could play in the Dec. 6 USC game, but he acknowledged the difficulty of jumping in with so little preparation against perhaps the nation's best defense.

"I would like to think I could, but I'm also realistic about it," Olson said. "I've missed a lot of time this year, obviously. That's why I was looking at this week as such a big week for me, to be able to get back, get a lot of reps and shake a lot of the rust off.

"To not be able to do that is tough."

Kevin Craft, who has thrown 16 interceptions in 10 games, continued to work with the first-team offense Tuesday.

TEVAGA RETURNS

Coach Rick Neuheisel reinstated backup guard Sonny Tevaga on Tuesday after leaving him off the travel roster for last Saturday's game at Washington. Neuheisel wanted Tevaga to re-dedicate himself to football.

Neuheisel met with Tevaga on Tuesday. After practice, Neuheisel said the issue was behind them, but that he hadn't decided whether Tevaga will join the team for the Nov. 28 game at Arizona State.

Tevaga, who watched the 27-7 victory at Washington in his hotel room, didn't question Neuheisel's judgment.

"I was just walking around slumped, just having a bad attitude," Tevaga said. "I needed to be more positive for the team."

Tevaga, a sophomore, is one of three linemen who missed time this year because of off-field issues.

Seniors Micah Reed and Scott Glicksberg were suspended for one game each for a violation of athletic department rules.

"Everyone makes mistakes. We've had a couple instances this season of little policy stuff," Glicksberg said. "Everyone still has his back. He's a teammate."

NOTES

Reserve defensive tackle Chase Moline (Mission Viejo) got an epidural injection to help him deal with back pain and likely won't practice this week. ...

Starting defensive tackle Brian Price (sore hamstring) did not practice and linebacker Sean Westgate (hip flexor) also sat out. Neuheisel said they likely will be available against Arizona State. ... Tight end Cory Harkey (flue-like symptoms) missed practice.