LOS ANGELES — UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan will have knee surgery and miss the 2008 season, the latest in a long string of quarterback setbacks for the Bruins.

Cowan, who had edged out the also-injured Ben Olson for the starting job this spring, was carted off the field on Thursday after injuring his left knee while scrambling, and will have surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.

"All I know is I need the surgery and I'm not going to be able to play next season," Cowan said.

Cowan missed eight games last season because of various injuries. He had already used a redshirt season, and was unsure whether he'd apply for a sixth year of eligibility.

"I don't know. I wasn't expecting this. There are a lot of things that can happen at this point."

Olson broke a bone in his right foot the same day Cowan was hurt, both in fluke injuries that did not involve contact.

Olson, a 25-year-old slowed by injuries throughout his long college career, was considering surgery to have a screw put in the broken foot and was expected to miss six-to-eight weeks.

He and junior college transfer Kevin Craft will compete for the starting job.

"We're going to play that position well," new UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "I have full confidence in (offensive coordinator) Norm Chow. I have full confidence in the kids to give everything they've got."