It Looks More and More Like Moore Will Start

Quarterback Drew Olson was 15 yards closer to recovery Tuesday, playing catch from 20 yards instead of the five-yard tosses he made a day earlier.

But that’s still a long way from being ready to play Saturday.

Olson, who has a slightly separated right shoulder, is Coach Bob Toledo’s first choice to replace the injured Cory Paus. However, Matt Moore, who like Olson is a freshman, is quickly gaining stature because he is practicing.

“We put him through the game plan and made the throws, reads and checks he needs to make,” Toledo said. “It’s not a complex plan, it’s one he can execute.”

Moore said it would be helpful if he knew whether or not he was going to start.

“But that’s Coach Toledo’s job, that’s why he makes the big money,” Moore said.

John Sciarra, a freshman who played the fourth quarter Saturday against California, will back up Olson or Moore. Ideally, a healthy Olson would allow Moore to continue to redshirt, but that possibility is becoming increasingly remote.

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Nate Fikse has all but locked up the kicking duties after a second day of blasting long-range field goals in practice.

“He was pretty impressive again,” Toledo said. “I’m going to wait one more day before making a decision but he deserves an opportunity.”

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Bruin defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti served as a Stanford ball boy for one game during his junior year at Carlmont High in Belmont, but he never had any intention of becoming a Cardinal.

“I don’t like red,” he said. “I like blue. My high school and junior college colors were blue, so it was UCLA all the way.”

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Freshman Marcedes Lewis, a 6-foot-6 tight end, wore No. 5 instead of his usual No. 19 because he simulated 6-5 Stanford receiver Teyo Johnson in drills against the first-team defense.... Receiver Ryan Smith missed practice because of a migraine headache.... Running back Manuel White did not practice and probably will miss a third consecutive game because of a hamstring injury .... UCLA’s Nov. 2 game at Washington will begin at 4 p.m. and be televised on TBS.