COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : ALOHA BOWL : Abdul-Jabbar More Than a Starter

Offensive left tackle Jonathan Ogden left practice early Saturday because of a sinus infection. Whether it will affect his ability to play in the Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day won’t be know until later today.

Otherwise, UCLA Coach Terry Donahue’s injury report seems to grow more optimistic.

Originally, he had said that tailback Karim Abdul-Jabbar, recovering from an ankle injury, would start but might not be able to finish.

“I am really encouraged,” said Donahue on Saturday. “I think he might be able to play longer.”

Donahue had labeled linebacker Tommy Bennett, who is also recovering from an ankle injury, as extremely doubtful. But Bennett has since returned to practice and might play.

On the other hand, offensive lineman Matt Soenksen, who is recovering from a foot injury, had been practicing, but has had to curtail his activities over the last few days because of continuing problems with the foot.

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Donahue has made senior Rob Walker the backup quarterback for Monday’s game behind starter Cade McNown. That moves Walker ahead of junior Ryan Fien, who had been the starter at the beginning of the season.

“I am not moving [Walker] up because he is a senior,” Donahue said. “I am moving him up because he is more psychologically prepared to play.”