Today's Rainbow Notebook

A homecoming
for Ulbrich

Hawaii middle linebacker Jeff Ulbrich didn't make this weekend's game with San Jose State a red-letter date on his calendar.

The senior bound for the National Football League doesn't harbor any resentment toward the current staff and he isn't looking to lay his hat on any particular Spartan.

Instead, the man who played part of his freshman season with the Spartans before dropping out and taking a job at a sheet metal factory in the Bay Area is looking at this Western Athletic Conference meeting as a homecoming of sorts.

"It's nice because it gives me a chance to play in front of a lot of family and friends who haven't had a chance to see any of the games," Ulbrich said after this morning's practice.

"It's exciting, but I'm trying to prepare for it like it's any other game. The most important thing is going up there and getting a win, and move a step closer to maybe winning a championship."

Ulbrich grew up in Morgan Hill, Calif., where he attended Live Oak High School. He walked on at San Jose State, but left for personal reasons.

Out of the game, friends convinced him he belonged on a football field, so he attended Gavilan Junior College in Gilroy, Calif., for one season before joining the Rainbows in 1997.

"I don't know any of these coaches, but I still have friends on the team," Ulbrich said. "There are three or four guys on the team who were there when I was there.

"One of them is my old roommate, James Ditch. He's the starting defensive end. I got an e-mail from him yesterday, so it's going to be good to see those guys again."

Injury update

It didn't take long for Scott Sims to start leaving his mark on the practice field. Out three weeks with a shoulder injury he suffered in the loss to Rice University three weeks ago, Sims is back among the top wideouts.

Safety Daniel Ho-Ching also has recovered from shoulder problems. He took part in several nickel packages today. Linebacker Yaphet Warren sat out of today's workout with a groin pull, but the outside linebacker should be ready to play this Saturday.

Members of the UH training staff confirmed this has been the most injury-free season since the Rainbows won the WAC and the Holiday Bowl in 1992.

Defensive end Joe Correia is the most injured player on the team with a broken hand and bad knee, but even he is expected to see extended playing time against the Spartans.

"We've been very fortunate," UH coach June Jones said. "Hopefully, we'll stay that way over the remainder of the season."

The magic bus

Cornerback Quincy LeJay will likely have the largest cheering section of anyone during this Saturday's final home game for San Jose State.

LeJay confirmed his mother, Edwina, has rented a bus and is bringing 63 family and friends to the game. They are busing up from Chino Hills, Calif.

"I won't have any problem knowing where they are because I'll probably hear them the whole game," LeJay said, then smiled. "I don't know who all is coming, but the bus is full."

Other players with California ties are also expecting car loads of family and friends. Offensive tackle Adrian Klemm said his mom and dad were bringing as many as 13 people with them.

"It's good for them because they don't have cable (TV) and can't see our games in Southern California," Klemm said. "A lot of guys here take it for granted that their families get to see them play all the time. For us, it's special."

Senior quarterback Dan Robinson said his parents were meeting him in San Jose, Calif., and then were coming to Honolulu for three weeks to see the final games of the regular season.

"They've been coming over here for years," Robinson said. "They're looking forward to seeing me play."

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By Paul Arnett