In an attempt to keep any University of Minnesota spies from watching Hawaii's practice yesterday, Rainbows head coach Fred vonAppen decided to hold the two-hour, high-tech session at Rainbow Stadium. That's right. The baseball diamond.

"I don't think this is the first time it's happened," UH assistant baseball coach Carl Furutani said. "But it hasn't happened very often."

The Blue Monster that lines the outfield wall was plenty high enough to block out any ground-level views. The stands also provided some shelter from the practice storm.

But the dorms? Any enterprising student who has no loyalty to the football team could rent his room to a Gopher. That individual would have a prime view of the practice proceedings.

"We have some concerns about somebody looking at us," said vonAppen, who had the offense practice at Rainbow Stadium, Klum Gym and Cooke Field. "They don't know much about us and we don't know much about them.

"I deferred to concerns about that. I'm too old to get too worried about it. If someone wants to climb up someplace and look at us, we're trying to make it as difficult as possible for them."

Ever the diplomat, vonAppen didn't want to infer he didn't trust new Minnesota head coach Glen Mason.

"That's probably not Glen's style," vonAppen said. "But there might be some zealous Minnesota alum who lives out here and wants to look at something.

"We're not security-proof. We just thought about what was available and what was a little difficult to see into. So we decided on those places. We're a little bit susceptible at Rainbow Stadium, but we can see if someone is standing, looking out the window. And you have to have a key to get to all the upper floors, so."

UH offensive coordinator Wally English might have been a Cold War spy when he was over in Europe coaching football. When he took the 'Bows into Klum Gym, he told one of the managers to close the door.

Former Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once described that fabled gym as a sweatbox. Nobody on the first-string offense and the scout-team defense would have argued.

The Rainbows spent about 45 minutes going over a series of plays before rejoining the defense at Cooke Field. The defense faced the offensive scouts at Rainbow Stadium. The scouts try to simulate what the coaches believe Minnesota will run this weekend.

"We're not suspicious of them," vonAppen said of the cloak-and-dagger series. "But there are some things we'd like to keep under wraps if we can."

QUICK RESPONSE: It didn't take long for Glen Mason to have an impact on the Minnesota program.

Hired in March, Mason pointed out to Minnesota administrators that the locker rooms on campus and in the Metrodome were inadequate, and that the practice field needed some immediate work.

In five months, Mason's worries were over.

"What has taken place over there in our new complex in a very short period of time amazes me," Mason said. "When I came here in March, I never really thought they would spring into action with a sense of urgency like they did.

"The locker room our players had last year, if it's not the worst, then it's one of the worst in college football. If you haven't seen the new one, the architects did a wonderful job. It's as fine a locker room as I've ever been in."

Mason also commended the job being done at the second-floor offices and the work being completed on the practice fields.

PLAYERS ON SHELF: The playing status of Russell Grant and Daniel Ho-Ching remains uncertain.

Ho-Ching, who has been battling cancer for two years, hasn't been given his final clearance to play football. Grant, who has a crack in his vertebrae, could play this year, but it depends on his rehab.

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY: During a pass-rushing drill, junior college defensive end Matt Elam demonstrated a great technique. He came hard off the edge, then suddenly did a pirouette and drove hard to the inside to get to the quarterback before the offensive lineman knew what happened. It resulted in a nice sack and a congratulatory handshake from line coach Doug Semones.

INJURY REPORT: Outside linebacker Rufus Ayeni was off crutches and walking around with only a slight limp. He injured his left knee during Thursday's scrimmage. He is listed as questionable for the Minnesota game. Against his wishes, receiver Jason Mane is out for the Minnesota game with a sprained knee. Daniel Ho-Ching appeared at yesterday's practice, but according to UH head coach Fred vonAppen, he still has to be cleared by his doctors before being allowed back on the team.

TRANSACTION WIRE: Incoming freshman Robert Parker said yesterday he has a chance to be cleared by the NCAA once he gets his grades in order. His mother is trying to reach the principal to get everything straightened out, but it's difficult because she works during the day. No one has been ruled ineligible. Jauron Pigg is still waiting to hear from the NCAA. VonAppen said yesterday he believes Pigg has a chance of being allowed to play this season.

WEATHER REPORT: It was a little warm at yesterday's practice at Rainbow Stadium. There was no Manoa mist. The temperature on the field was in the low 90s.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Don't tell anybody we worked out in Klum Gym. We don't want Minnesota to know."

-- Wally English on Hawaii practicing in several locations to hide from Gopher spies.