Tuesday, September 7, 1999

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
UH head football coach June Jones talks with starting
quarterback Dan Robinson during Hawaii's loss to USC.

Jones sticking
with his starters

The UH football coach says he's
not the type to substitute freely

Notebook

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii head coach June Jones doesn't believe in massive substitutions. If you're No. 1 on the depth chart, you're going to see the majority of snaps.

The strategy behind that as the Rainbows prepare for this Saturday's game against Division I-AA Eastern Illinois is a simple one. For the team to get better, they have to play together as much as possible.

"I don't believe in fielding two units and having a lot of people going in and out of the lineup," Jones said. "We need to get the timing down on our offense. In order to do that, the same guys have to keep getting the reps, in practice and the games."

That's not to say the same four receivers will play every down or the fullback will always be Afatia Thompson. Some substitutions will occur on different series.

One position that will remain constant, however, is the quarterback. And right now, that's senior Dan Robinson, not true freshman Mike Harrison.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Senior middle linebacker Jeff Ulbrich impressed his
coaches with 17 tackles against USC.

"I'm not one to make a lot of quarterback changes," Jones said. "I believe that a guy has to feel comfortable, have confidence and the coach has to have confidence in him.

"I'm not even thinking about making a change right now. (Harrison) is not ready to play. He is, I think, a tough kid and an accurate passer. I think in time he's going to be a good quarterback. But he's still only a freshman."

Jones takes a similar approach on defense. Coordinator Greg McMackin may have different people on the field based on certain situations, such as nickel- and dime-packages. But the starting lineup will remain the same.

"One of our concerns is getting Joe Correia back on the field this weekend," McMackin said of the junior, who broke his hand last Saturday. "We missed him at his defensive end spot."

If Correia can't go, then look for Steve Dietschy to be the starter. He finished with three tackles in Hawaii's lopsided 62-7 loss to Southern California.

"One thing we all noticed on defense was the play of Jeff Ulbrich," Jones said. "You watch the film and you see him everywhere on the field."

The senior middle linebacker finished with 17 tackles for the Rainbows. In fact, the starting linebacker trio of Ulbrich, Anthony Smith and Yaphet Warren combined on 34 tackles, including one for a loss. Smith also had one pass breakup and a recovered fumble.

"There were some good things for us to build on defensively," McMackin said. "We just have to hang in there and continue to get better each game this season."

Eligibility problems:

Jones confirmed that place-kicker Jake Huggins is academically ineligible. The transfer from Washington State may be able to return in the spring. Also, Pisa Tinoisamoa still hasn't been ruled eligible by the NCAA. Jones said the middle linebacker could receive his clearance anywhere from a day to a month from now.

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TODAY'S RAINBOW NOTEBOOK

Correia will play against
E. Illinois with broken hand

Despite having a broken left hand, Joe Correia will play Saturday against Eastern Illinois.

The defensive end is waiting for the swelling to go down before being fitted for a cast. He took part in this morning's practice, albeit in a limited capacity.

"He's a tough guy and the cast will be tight enough, so he won't feel any real pain," coach June Jones said.

Correia said the injury happened in the second quarter, but he didn't really notice it until he went down in his stance.

"I thought it was one of these two fingers, but it was a bone in my hand," Correia said. There's a depressed area on the top of his left hand where the bone is broken. "I'll be ready to play by Saturday."

The Rainbows emerged from the Southern California loss fairly healthy. Wide receiver Davey deLaura is doubtful with a hamstring pull. The slotback was not suited up for practice, but was trying to rehab the injury by running laps around the field.

Running back Robert Grant didn't practice, either. He has a slight ankle sprain. So does wide receiver Jamal Garland. He rolled up on the ankle against USC and reinjured it during a drill today.

"Both of those guys should be all right by the game," Jones said. "We're in good shape overall."

Free safety Nate Jackson remains sidelined with a knee injury. He is expected to be back in the lineup by the end of the month.

Ulbrich backup kicker

Jeff Ulbrich is not only the starting middle linebacker, but now a backup kicker as well.

Jones made the announcement this morning after confirming that Jake Huggins won't be academically eligible this season.

Right now, Eric Hannum will kick field goals and extra points, and punter Chad Shrout will handle kickoffs. If Hannum, who suffered a slight groin pull last week, should falter, Ulbrich would be No. 2 on the depth chart.

"We would also think about using Chad," Jones said. Shrout is the holder on PATs and field goals. "If Chad did handle all our kicking, then we'd use (QB) Josh Skinner as our holder."

Liana getting reps

Bronson Liana is seeing extended practice time with the top defensive unit. Last week, the Kamehameha Schools product switched from quarterback to safety. He could see some playing time back there as early as this week.

"Bronson has good speed and quickness," UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said. "In time, we think he can help us back there. He has a really good feel for the game."

New Scripps-Howard ranking

Hawaii is ranked No. 161 in this week's Scripps-Howard computer poll that rates all 237 Division I and Division I-AA teams.

By comparison, Penn State is ranked No. 1 with a power rating of 116.8. Hawaii's rating is 68.64. That means on a neutral site the Nittany Lions would be favored by seven touchdowns.

Eastern Illinois is ranked No. 165 with a rating of 67.60. Factoring in the four points given to the home team, Hawaii should be a five-point favorite this weekend.

Streak continues

Offensive tackle Kaulana Noa is the only Hawaii senior to start every game of his UH career. The fifth-year senior ran the streak to 37 games.

"You can't have enough guys like Kaulana on your football team," Jones said. "We need him to stay up every game because of his ability and leadership on the field."

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By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin