Hamstring won’t keep Lafaele out of lineup

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Hawaii senior defensive tackle and team captain Mike Lafaele was diagnosed with a strained right hamstring yesterday.

He said it would not stop him from starting his 29th consecutive game Saturday when 16th-ranked UH (5-0, 2-0 WAC) hosts Utah State (0-5, 0-1) at Aloha Stadium.

"It's just a small strain, nothing serious," Lafaele said. "I'll be out there (at practice), but I might take it easy. We'll see how it feels (today).

"I'm definitely suiting up for the game."

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said Lafaele was limping at practice yesterday after taking some shots in the legs in Saturday's game at Idaho, so he sent him to get an MRI.

"We don't want to take any chances," McMackin said.

Lafaele has just 13 total tackles, but he usually dominates at the line of scrimmage, allowing teammates to make plays.

"He's the guy, our leader," cornerback J.P. Davis said. "I call him Big Unc'."

Siave Seti is listed as Lafaele's backup at right tackle. No. 2 left tackle Keala Watson would likely get more action, too, if Lafaele can't play.

Meanwhile, quarterback Colt Brennan continued his comeback from a sprained ankle, and sported a new look -- actually his old look, a conventional haircut.

In Logan, Utah, the Aggies prepared to leave for Hawaii today.

USU has an explosive game-breaker in receiver/kick returner Kevin Robinson, and coach Brent Guy said he's looking for as many ways as possible to get him the ball.

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You wouldn't blame him if he did, but Kevin Robinson says he never wonders about what might have been.

Utah State (0-5, 0-1 WAC) at Hawaii (5-0, 2-0) » Saturday, 6:05 p.m. » Aloha Stadium » TV: Live PPV Ch. 255; replay 10 a.m. Sunday KFVE, Ch. 5 » Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM »  Internet: htsportsnet.com

Robinson is one of the most exciting players in the Western Athletic Conference. He may be the league's best all-around threat as a receiver and return man.

But the 6-foot, 192-pound senior plays for Utah State, which has suffered with a 7-32 record in Robinson's four years in Logan.

Thoughts about transferring over the years?

"Zero," Robinson said in a phone interview yesterday, a day before the Aggies (0-5, 0-1) were to fly here for Saturday's game against No. 16 Hawaii (5-0, 2-0) at Aloha Stadium.

"I never thought of leaving," Robinson said.

"I'm one of the people wherever I go I stick it out to the end."

USU coach Brent Guy is thankful for that.

"Right now, he's our big-play guy, for both offense and special teams," Guy said. "We're trying to get him as many touches as we can because he can break the game open for us."

The Aggies have averaged just 15 points per game, but that is not Robinson's fault. He leads Utah State in receiving, punt and kick returns and all-purpose yardage. Robinson is also tied with quarterback Leon Jackson for the team lead with two touchdowns apiece. He sometimes lines up in the backfield, and has rushed seven times for 22 yards.

"They're finding different ways to get me the ball," he said.

"I get some reverses and short passes and we do a good job spreading people out."

But his staples remain receiving and returns. He's caught 26 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown.

Robinson was the WAC's Special Teams Player of the Week two weeks ago with an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 53-yard punt return. But it went for naught as San Jose State beat Utah State 23-20.

The Aggies have lost 11 straight since beating Fresno State 13-7 on Oct. 7, 2006, last year -- a satisfying moment for Robinson, who is from Fresno but was asked to walk on by the Bulldogs.

But mostly it's been losing.

"It's starting to get to me a little bit, but I can't focus on that, I've got to focus on a new game every time I go out there and just do my best every game. I can't go around thinking about the last game and how we lost it, or how we lost the game before that," Robinson said. "I've just got to realize that a new game is a new game and hopefully I can do something better this time so that we can get a win."

While he doesn't let his mind wander to what life would be like on the other side of the field, Robinson admits catching passes in Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense might be pretty enjoyable.

"It'd be a fun offense, talented players all the way around. Any receiver would like that," he said.

As for the Aggies' chances Saturday as 39-point underdogs?

"We'll just try to keep the game close and hopefully win in the fourth quarter."