Drew Olson went into the 2005 college football season with very unremarkable stats his first three years at UCLA. He had career marks of 33 touchdowns and 26 interceptions which amounted to a 3.4% interception ratio. Very well below average. UCLA was also a below average team having gone 12-13 previous two seasons.
The 2005 season came around, and UCLA wasn’t expected to do much. But they came out of the gates on fire with huge winds against San Diego State and Rice. Olson was not overwhelming in either game. But he did have three touchdowns against Rice.
Week three is when things would really start to turn for the good. UCLA upset #21 Oklahoma and Olson had three touchdowns on the day. Carving up the Sooners secondary at the Rose Bowl. Two weeks later, he would help the Bruins to another upset of #10 California. Starting the season 5-0 with two upset wins.
Week three is when things would really start to turn for the good. UCLA upset #21 Oklahoma and Olson had three touchdowns on the day. Carving up the Sooners secondary at the Rose Bowl. Two weeks later, he would help the Bruins to another upset of #10 California. Starting the season 5-0 with two upset wins
The next two weeks would be against Washington State and Oregon State. Where Olson would have 11 touchdowns and one interception. UCLA would now be 7-0, Olson is in Heisman talks and UCLA is in the top 10. UCLA would then fall flat on their faces versus Arizona losing 52-14. Followed by a win versus Arizona State.
9-1 UCLA would head to the Coliseum to play the number 1 team in 11-0 USC Trojans. In a much anticipated game, UCLA would lose 66-19 ending their miracle run at a large bowl game that season. UCLA would go on to finish the season at 10-2. Still a lot better then was predicted.
On 5️⃣/1️⃣4️⃣, let's take it back to '05 and No. 14, Drew Olson, who threw a school-record 34 TD passes and just six interceptions for the 10-2 Bruins.#GoBruins | #TBT pic.twitter.com/KrHg2aVJBY
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) May 14, 2020
Olson turned that senior season into 8th in the Heisman voting with 34 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Then onto the NFL where he was undrafted but spent some time with the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. The miracle 2005 run will forever be one of the best seasons by a UCLA quarterback.
34 | Drew Olson's single-season passing TD record and the number of days 'til kickoff. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/6UVEU8JVkj
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) July 31, 2016