He believes he could be back as soon as next week, but the trainers and the coaching staff don't want to rush it.

Carey injured his right shoulder late in the Nevada-Las Vegas game a little more than three weeks ago. At the time, team physicians predicted he would be sidelined from three to six weeks.

"I feel really good," Carey said. "I don't see why I can't be back at practice next week. There's still some soreness, but it's just the muscles in there. I feel like I'm close to coming back."

UH head coach Fred vonAppen said Carey would have to start at the bottom of the depth chart and work his way back up to the starting job.

At this point, sophomore Josh Skinner is the starter and senior receiver Johnny Macon is the backup. But given Carey's ability to throw the football and the offense UH coordinator Wally English wants to run, it probably wouldn't be long before Carey is under center again.

"Obviously, a lot would depend on how we were playing whenever he receives his clearance from the team doctors," vonAppen said.

Skinner has done an admirable job as the starter. For the season, the Colorado resident is 29 of 45 for 318 yards and one touchdown. He has thrown one interception for a rating of 126.7.

"I'm starting to get comfortable at the position," Skinner said. "It takes time when you haven't played in a while. But I'm finally getting there."

GONZALES GONE: VonAppen announced yesterday that senior linebacker Stephen Gonzales will seek a medical hardship for nerve damage in his shoulder and a badly sprained ankle.

Last year's leading tackler for the Rainbows, Gonzales has played in only three games this season. NCAA rules state a player with a documented injury can take part in 50 percent of the first six games. He and vonAppen decided it was best for him to seek the medical hardship.

"In light of his physical condition and the doctor's prognosis, we're just going to have to sit him for the rest of the time and seek a medical hardship," vonAppen said.

"It's not too dissimilar from the Dan Robinson thing (who also will seek a medical hardship). He might be able to play again like he did last week, but can he play the next week? We're going to miss him for his leadership, his effort, his ability to generate plays."

Gonzales was a key to Hawaii upsetting Fresno State, 28-16, on Saturday night. He made three tackles on a critical goal-line stand on the opening drive of the third quarter, including making the initial hit on the fourth-and-one sneak by Fresno State quarterback Billy Volek.

"I really want to keep playing this year, but my body says no," Gonzales said. "I'm just going to try to rest up and hopefully be back in the spring."

HAWAII RANKED 100TH: The new Scripps-Howard computer poll that rates the 232 Division I and Division I-AA teams was released yesterday with Hawaii coming in at No. 100 with a rating of 81.1.

By comparison, Auburn is No. 1 in the computer ratings with a power rating of 117.8. That means on a neutral site, Auburn would be about a 37-point favorite.

After losing to Rice University this past weekend, Brigham Young fell out of the top 25. The Cougars come in at No. 54 with a rating of 92.8. Factoring in the four points for being the home team, BYU should be a 16-point favorite in this weekend's WAC game.

INJURY UPDATE: Injured defensive nose tackle Bob Piggot is listed as doubtful for the BYU game with a sprained knee and ankle. He would like to play this Saturday, but the UH trainers aren't hopeful.

Fellow down lineman Matt Elam returned to practice after missing two weeks with a bad neck. His status will be reviewed today.

Running back Charles Tharp will make the trip to Provo, Utah, despite bruising his shoulder in the second half of the Fresno State game. Strong safety Chris Shinnick also is expected to travel with the team. He suffered a concussion in the win over Fresno State and is still nursing a bad shoulder.

Rinda Brooks is probable. He hurt his shoulder against the Bulldogs, but took part in yesterday's light workout. Cornerback Al Hunter is back after a bout with the flu and Robbie Robinson also is back after being sidelined with an ankle sprain.