"Don't tell my wife I shaved my head," the good-natured junior college transfer from American Fork, Utah, said. "She might not recognize me and let me back in the house."

Robinson has maintained his sense of humor, despite his nagging leg injury that could force him to be redshirted this season. He and Tim Carey took the majority of snaps at yesterday's fall camp practice at Cooke Field.

Carey is clearly the No. 1 quarterback because the other three -- Robinson (leg), Josh Skinner (hamstring pull) and John Gurasich (flu virus) -- haven't been able to hit their stride yet.

"It was kind of funny," Robinson said. "On one play in seven-on-seven drills, everybody was covered, so I had to run for it. I felt like grandpa out there. I thought I was going to have to beat the guys off with my crutches."

Robinson isn't ready to call it a season just yet, but after battling pain in his left leg for seven months, he knows his chances of playing pain-free this season are remote. The good news is, he has three years left to play two, meaning he could redshirt and still be a junior next season.

"That's why I didn't redshirt while I was at Ricks (Idaho) Junior College," Robinson said. "I wanted to have the option of sitting out a year if I needed to at the Division I level. The thing is, I don't know if I will have that option.

"It's difficult for one quarterback to play the entire season without being hurt. So if something happens to Tim, especially early on, then one of us is going to have to step in and take over. All I can do is wait and see how things go."

Robinson has until the midpoint of the season to make a decision. He could even play in three of the first six games, and then seek a medical hardship if it became necessary. At this point, UH head coach Fred vonAppen wants him in there because No. 1, he might have to play, and No. 2, he wants someone to push Carey.

"I thought both of us really threw the ball well today," Robinson said. "My arm feels great. I just wish my left leg felt as good. It's kind of my own fault. I should have rested it more. But nobody knew how really bad it was until this summer."

The UH trainers are still taking a wait-and-see approach. The injury is somewhere between shinsplints and a crack in the bone. The only way it's going to get better is through extended rest.

"We'd like to have him in there," UH offensive coordinator Wally English said. "He has some experience and a strong arm. Entering the season, you want to have at least two guys who can step in and get the job done." PLAYING CATCH: Junior college running back Anthony DiIeso was a member of the Atlanta Braves' organization long before he ever thought about playing football for the Rainbows.

"I was drafted out of high school (Copiague High in New York) in the ninth round by the Braves," DiIeso said after yesterday's practice. "I played for them for three years. I made it as far as Class A ball before being released in the spring of 1995.

"They gave me some money for school as part of my contract, so I knew I had that as an option if I needed it. I played halfback in high school, so I decided to follow it up in junior college."

DiIeso enrolled at Glendale (Ariz.) Community College because his parents lived there. Last year, the 23-year-old rushed for a little more than 1,100 yards, catching the eye of the UH coaching staff.

"I love it out here," DiIeso said of Hawaii. "I enjoy throwing blocks and running with the football. Whatever the coaches ask, I will do. It's a great opportunity."

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY: Rufus Ayeni broke up two pass plays during the morning workout, but the most spectacular came on a toss from Robinson that was intended for tight end Armando Morlos in the flat. The senior linebacker broke perfectly on the play, stepping in front of Morlos and reaching in to knock the attempt harmlessly to the turf.

INJURY REPORT: Wide receivers Jason Mane and Jerimi Bourland were injured in the afternoon practice. Mane tore a ligament in his knee and is out at least six weeks. Bourland sprained an ankle and will miss several days of practice. Center Shane Oliveira was held out of both practices to rest his sore ankles.

TRANSACTION WIRE: Stanford transfer Jauron Pigg had to wait for the results of his drug test before being allowed to take part in practice. He still hasn't heard anything from the NCAA about his petition to play this season, but is expected to practice today. Academic advisers Adam Lockwood and Leon Schumaker attended the morning practice to let UH head coach Fred vonAppen know the status of several players. Chief among them was Franklin Yearby-Saunders, who missed his final exams because of a personal problem. He will be allowed to take them, but still needs high marks in three classes in order to gain his eligibility. The status of freshman recruit Clyde Lewis is still unknown. Schumaker said he had to wait for Lewis' transcripts before announcing any decision.

WEATHER REPORT: Overcast skies kept the temperature from climbing into the 90s for the second consecutive day. The high was 86, prompting vonAppen to say, "The weather out here is overrated."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I think we ought to call a long pass on the first play of the game against Minnesota. When the fans see that football spiraling down the field for 60 yards, they're going to give us a standing ovation, even if there isn't a receiver out there to catch it."

-- Dan Robinson on throwing a spiral.