BRUINS REUNION: MANY HAPPY RETURNS : AFTER TOUGH LOSS, UCLA WELCOMES BACK SUSPENDED PLAYERS.

Byline: Jon Wilner Staff Writer

Suspended together, they suffered apart. UCLA fullback Durell Price watched the Ohio State game with friends. Linebacker Ryan Nece was with his family in San Bernardino. Guard Oscar Cabrera barbequed with relatives at his home near the Rose Bowl.

Their emotions paralleled UCLA's performance - first-quarter thrills giving way to fourth-quarter reality, as the outmanned Bruins wilted in Ohio Stadium.

``I was hurting inside,'' Price said. ``Those guys did a great job, but depth was a problem. We were so thin in numbers.''

Not anymore. The reinforcements have arrived.

UCLA's second season begins this week with a new quarterback (Cory Paus) and the return of 10 players who served two-game suspensions for the disabled-parking scam. Among them are six starters and six seniors who will provide desperately needed leadership. Together, they account for 13 percent of UCLA's roster and a chunk of its spirit.

``It's like we're starting the season over,'' guard Matt Phelan said. ``This is how it's supposed to be. It's how we imagined it would be. A lot of our best players finally have a chance to play.''

Assimilating the suspended players before Saturday's game against Fresno State should not be difficult, either psychologically or strategically. During a series of summer meetings, the guilty players apologized to their teammates and coaching staff. Captains Danny Farmer and Pete Holland accepted and the matter was dropped. Incensed coach Bob Toledo also accepted the apologies, but he banned the suspended players from contact with the team during games.

``The hardest moment for me was during the Boise State game,'' Nece said. ``I was in the stands, and at kickoff I felt separated for the first time. It was the first time I felt divided from the team.''

Although punished severely - $1,485 fines, 200 hours of community service, two-game suspensions and additional penalties by the dean of students - the guilty players were, in the end, allowed to practice. They stayed in shape physically, they attended meetings, learned new plays and refined fundamentals.

Once game preparation began, they were relegated to the dreaded scout team, which mimics the opponent's offense and defense.

``You know, it actually didn't suck,'' Price said. ``I just put it in my mind that we were contributing to the team winning games. When you're young, the scout team sucks. When you're older, you realize you can help the young guys.''

Had they been banned from practice, the suspended players would have been a month behind their teammates. They'd have needed time to get in shape and find their rhythm, time to adjust to contact and familiarize themselves with the system. Instead, they were ready for action Monday afternoon.

``When people say, `Welcome back,' I want to say, `I never left,' '' safety Ryan Roques said. ``I've been here the whole time. I've been practicing with the team, doing everything I can.''

Their impact will be greatest on defense. Roques, a senior, takes over at the troublesome strong-safety position, where sophomore Jason Stephens struggled. Nece, Robert Thomas and Tony White replace an inexperienced group of linebackers. Safety Eric Whitfield and linebacker Ali Abdul Azziz will bolster the depth.

On offense, junior Oscar Cabrera returns to his starting spot at left guard, and senior lineman Jim Ghezzi becomes the top reserve. Price is the No. 1 fullback - a move based on leadership as much as talent - and reserve tailback Keith Brown's return should give weary starter DeShaun Foster some rest.

``I think we'll make an immediate impact, whether it's because the talent is back or the leadership and experience we're gaining,'' Roques said. ``There will be an impact one way or another.

Their presence has energized the Bruins, who blamed fatigue and a depleted roster, not talent, for the loss at Ohio State. The numbers agree: The Bruins scored the first 14 points of the game and scored the first points of the second half but were outscored by a combined 42-3 in the remainder of the two halves.

Now, with a full roster, an influx of senior leadership and a starting quarterback, their spirits are soaring. It's a new season.

``I've talked to a lot of the guys and they're still excited despite that loss,'' Nece said. ``We're confident we can be a big force in the Pac-10.''

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Photo

PHOTO The return of suspended tailback Keith Brown, shown in action last year, will allow Bruins starter DeShaun Foster to get some rest.

Myung J. Chun/Staff photographer