Los Angeles, CA -- (Sports Network) - UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel has decided to start redshirt junior Kevin Craft at quarterback for the season-opener on September 1 against Tennessee.

Craft spent two years -- one as a redshirt -- at San Diego State, then played the 2007 campaign at Mt. San Antonio Junior College before transferring to UCLA last spring.

"He's earned it with his consistent play and he has the best mastery of the offense at this point," said Neuheisel in making the announcement.

The Bruins lost senior quarterback Ben Olson for two months because of a broken bone in his right foot earlier this month.

Craft threw for 4,231 yards with 44 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season at Mt. San Antonio JC. At San Diego State he appeared in nine games and started five during the 2006 campaign, completing 69-of-121 passes for 737 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions.