Brian Price

UCLA's problems got a little worse Tuesday, as quarterback Ben Olson did not practice because of "headaches," Coach Karl Dorrell said. Patrick Cowan was in charge of the first-team offense in his first full practice since returning from a partially torn hamstring. Whether Olson would be ready in time for Saturday's game against Washington is unclear. Olson was not allowed to speak with the media Tuesday and Dorrell was vague about the injury.

Quarterback Ben Olson's status remains an open question, as UCLA officials were unable to say whether he has been cleared to resume practice after undergoing exertion tests Friday. Olson is expected to be re-evaluated before the team practices this week. Olson is suffering from concussion-like symptoms after being repeatedly hammered during a 44-6 loss to Utah on Sept. 15. Patrick Cowan started in Olson's place against Washington on Saturday. "I don't know how it happened," Olson said this week.

It's a big recruiting weekend at UCLA, with about a dozen high school players making official visits, but none hail from the state of the Bruins' Emerald Bowl opponent, Florida State. No current Bruins are from Florida, either, but that's something receivers coach D.J. McCarthy is hoping to change.

Although UCLA's attention is mainly on Florida State and Wednesday's Emerald Bowl, no one could blame the Bruins if they started looking ahead to next season with a defense that will return almost intact. UCLA, which gave up 24 touchdowns this season after allowing 48 last year, will lose only two seniors from its two-deep list, end Justin Hickman and outside linebacker Eric McNeal.

Anyone looking for big news about the UCLA quarterback situation might have to wait a while longer. As Coach Rick Neuheisel said after Tuesday's practice: "Nothing to report in terms of changes or radical shifts." But there were hints of a development or two. While starter Kevin Craft, coming off a four-interception performance at California, got most of the first-unit work, Ben Olson threw for a good portion of practice before heading off to see the doctor.

Australia's "The Bank" is a caustic attack on corporate greed in the form of a suspense thriller. Writer-director Robert Connolly has done a dazzling job of working out an intricate plot that involves a formidable knowledge of the possibilities of computer technology and the workings of modern banking, and has balanced it with a firm grasp of character.

The answers to replacing All-American defensive end Justin Hickman rushed to be interviewed. Nikola Dragovic and Tom Blake jostled their way into position Tuesday after UCLA's practice before Dragovic demanded one rule. "Oldest first," he said, and that was that. That, too, is the pecking order for the Bruins to replace Hickman, the only missing piece from a defense that finished second in the Pacific 10 Conference last season.

Justin Medlock. Justin Medlock. Justin Medlock. Think UCLA kicker Kai Forbath has heard the name a few times? "Oh, pretty much in every conversation I have had in the last few months," said Forbath, smiling. The compare and contrast was inevitable, and probably will be made for a while. Medlock was an All-American kicker and a fifth-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. He made 28 of 32 field goals, seven from 40 yards or longer.

Defensive end Bruce Davis wasn't strutting or taunting, merely illuminating what UCLA is guar-ran-teed to do well this season. "We want to create a buzz about our defense," Davis said. "There is something in the air. We went from being the fourth-worst in the country to 35th in one year. We know the system, and we're confident in our abilities. We expect to have another good year." That seems required for the Bruins to live up to expectations.

UCLA went through the chore of plugging holes on its defense Tuesday, and hoping more gaps didn't open. The defensive tackle spot has been whittled down to the point where freshman defensive tackle Brian Price may get a large chunk of playing time against Washington State this week. Brigham Harwell is still trying to return from a knee injury. Jess Ward is out at least two weeks after suffering a partially torn ligament in his right knee against California.