BYU football: UCLA's Chow trying to work magic with another QB

PROVO — At the same stadium where he developed, and called plays, for BYU quarterbacks like Steve Young, Robbie Bosco and Ty Detmer years ago, UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow returns to display his latest project — junior Kevin Craft.

In Craft's debut as the Bruins' quarterback on Labor Day at the Rose Bowl, the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder threw four first-half interceptions before leading a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives in UCLA's 27-24 overtime upset of then-No. 18 Tennessee.

"I don't think you could have written a better script," Chow told the Los Angeles Times. "My wife said it was like a movie. The problem is the movie is not over yet. We don't know how it's going to end."

Another scene from Craft's story will play out on Saturday when the Bruins invade LaVell Edwards Stadium to face No. 18 BYU. Of course, the Cougar defense has studied Craft's second-half rise from the ashes in preparation for this weekend's clash.

"The thing I noticed most is his character as an individual," BYU safety Kellen Fowler said of Craft. "To come out and struggle a little bit in the first half, but to keep fighting and play a great second half, he showed great accuracy on his throws in the second half and he was very consistent. He showed that he is capable of being a big-time quarterback and really picking apart a defense. We need to prepare for the second-half Kevin Craft."

What was the difference between Craft's first-half woes and his second-half success versus the Volunteers?

"Just confidence," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. "It looked like he settled in and was not rushing his throws as much. He was a little calmer and more poised, as you would expect for a new quarterback, in a new system, first game, against a national opponent. It took him a while to calm down."

Mendenhall noted that in the second half, when Craft threw for 193 yards, Chow put Craft in situations that were "more comfortable for him," which included running the bootleg to get him out of the pocket.

"The coaching staff did a nice job tailoring (the offense) to what he could have success with," Mendenhall said.

BYU linebacker David Nixon remembers watching the UCLA-Tennessee game on television.

"At halftime, I thought, 'This is going to be a tough game for (UCLA).' But I think that shows a lot about (Craft)," Nixon said. "He's a true competitor, a true fighter. He stepped in after four turnovers and came back in the second half and played almost flawless.