Game Day: UCLA Scouting Report : No. 14 UCLA (1-0) at No. 13 OHIO STATE (0-1) : Toledo to Continue Platoon

UCLA will again play Drew Bennett and backup Cory Paus in both the first and second halves tonight in what may be the final game they share the quarterback duties.

Or it may not be.

Coach Bob Toledo would like to make a decision and give one player the job on a full-time basis, but will only do so in the next few days if Bennett or Paus clearly earns the spot with a good performance in the hostile environment of Ohio Stadium.

If not, the Bruins will stay with the rotation for one more game, against Fresno State at the Rose Bowl, and then make a choice in time for the Pacific 10 Conference opener at Stanford in Week 4.

Bennett, the starter, used a strong second half in the opener against Boise State to finish eight of 16 for 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Paus, a spark in the first half, ended 12 of 18 for 128 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

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Defensive back Lovell Houston is expected to play after sitting out last week because of a strained leg muscle. How well he will play is the question, and not just tonight. The redshirt freshman has fallen behind the pack after missing spring drills because of a shoulder injury and a chunk of the last month with the leg problem.

“It’s going to be hard for him,” Toledo said. “Very difficult.”

It doesn’t help Houston’s hopes that two prominent defensive backs, Ryan Roques and Eric Whitfield, return from suspension in two days.

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Chris Griffith, the walk-on kicker, is coming off a successful debut, having made all five extra points and a 37-yard field goal on the first attempt of his college career.

“I think it was Chris Griffith 8, Boise State 7,” Toledo said. “He did a nice job.”

So nice that Griffith was named the Bruins’ special teams player of the game.