Asked last week if UCLA’s loss of starting quarterback Ben Olson to a sprained knee in a 27-7 victory over Arizona on Oct. 7 would change the way Notre Dame would scout the Bruins, Irish coach Charlie Weis said: “The other kid (Patrick Cowan) went 20-for-29 with two touchdown passes. Not that I’m looking or anything.” Weis might change his mind after the way Cowan played Saturday, going 16 of 31 for only 112 yards in UCLA’s 30-20 loss to Oregon. The Bruins’ rushing defense, which had been giving up just 50 yards a game, also fell apart against the Ducks, surrendering 256 yards. . . . Notre Dame (5-1) is eighth in the first Bowl Championship Series rankings. The team that handed the Irish their only loss, Michigan (6-0), is third.
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NEXT: SATURDAY VS. UCLA, 1:30 P.M., WMAQ-CH. 5