Injured Shrout
not out -- yet

Punter Chad Shrout suffered a mild ankle sprain in the first phase of yesterday's practice, but is expected to make the trip to Texas-El Paso this weekend.

Rainbows head coach Fred vonAppen said Eric Hannum will be on the traveling roster in case Shrout can't go.

"The good news is, it's only a first-degree sprain, so he should be able to kick," vonAppen said after yesterday's practice. "The bad news is, it's his plant foot, so it may be difficult for him on kickoffs, field goals and extra points.

"With Jeff Ulbrich out, we don't have a backup kicker. I put out an all-points bulletin and got no responses. Apparently, nobody on our team kicked in high school."

Punting won't be that easy either if Shrout is still in pain. Members of the UH medical team said three days will be enough to get him ready, but don't be surprised if Hannum is forced into duty.

Hannum punted his freshman year when Shrout returned home to California after his mother died. Like Shrout, he can handle all phases of the kicking game.

VonAppen had planned to redshirt Hannum, but those plans may be scrapped this weekend.

"Eric kicked fairly well at the end of practice," vonAppen said. "We have confidence in him if Chad can't go. All we can do is wait and see what happens Saturday in warm-ups. That's when the decision will be made."

Shrout has improved his punting in recent weeks, but is still struggling with field goals and PATs. He has missed 7 of 10 field goals and has made only 4 of 6 extra points.

ROBINSON WATCHING: Dan Robinson missed his third consecutive practice this week, leaving UH offensive coordinator Don Lindsey in a bit of a quandary.

Right now, option-minded quarterbacks Josh Skinner and Bronson Liana are seeing all the practice time. But the UH medical staff said not to rule out Robinson.

"Let me put it this way," UH team physician Andrew Nichols said. "Dan hasn't come to see me about anything, so I believe he can play if the coaches want him to. I know this much, Dan is tough."

Robinson was his usual jovial self after practice, despite nursing more bumps and bruises than a first-time ice skater.

Skinner has battled through some ailments of his own, including several concussions dating back to last spring. But yesterday he said his hamstring pull felt better and his head was clear.

"I'm very excited about getting the chance to play again," Skinner said. "It's been a tough six weeks."

Skinner and Liana weren't always in step with the rest of the offense during yesterday's final heavy workout. Liana had problems with pitch plays and Skinner had trouble with his footing.

"If Dan can't go, and that's looking more certain by the day, then I'd probably lean toward starting Josh just because he's done it before," Lindsey said. "Bronson is going to play.

"If Josh were healthy, I'd lean toward keeping Dan at home and letting him get some much-needed rest. We still have a month of the season left and we want Dan to finish it with us."

COBB-ADAMS GOING STRONG: This weekend's game with UTEP will be Kamuela Cobb-Adams' 43rd consecutive appearance since he joined the program five years ago.

Although he has nursed a sore ankle all season, the weak outside linebacker will make his 24th consecutive start.

"Kamuela is one of our iron men out there," UH defensive coordinator Tom Williams said. "No matter what happens, he's ready to play and he usually plays well."

Cobb-Adams is eighth on the team in tackles with 30. He also has one sack and two fumble recoveries this season.

INJURY REPORT: Cornerback Quincy LeJay won't be seeing any practice time, but that doesn't mean he won't be on the playing field Saturday afternoon.

"In fact, he's going to start at one cornerback," Williams said. "His bruised shoulder is feeling a lot better, which is good for us."

Defensive tackle Tony Tuioti also is doing better. He will start against UTEP, despite having a ruptured disc in his back that will require surgery after the season.

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--- By Paul Arnett