In the fall of 1991, Davis High School took a 30-21 lead over American Fork High in the final two minutes of a Utah high school football playoff game.

But then American Fork's senior quarterback, who had already thrown touchdown passes of 19, 48 and 82 yards, took control with his strong and accurate arm. His passing, a successful onsides kick and two short dives into the end zone gave American Fork an improbable 33-30 victory.

After proving his skills on the field, Dan Robinson distinguished himself during a post-game interview with his polite, self-effacing personality. It seemed apparent that he was an outstanding young man with a good future.

HONOLULU — The biggest game in the University of Hawaii's 1999 football season was in its second overtime. The Rainbow Warriors, who were winless the previous season, could earn a share of the 1999 WAC championship and a bowl berth with a win over the Fresno State Bulldogs on that October evening. With the game on the line, Hawaii quarterback Dan Robinson dropped back and threw a 9-yard strike to Craig Stutzmann for what turned out to be the winning touchdown.

For Robinson, the triumph was another highlight in life. Since he graduated from high school, Robinson served in the Hong Kong Mission; married his high school sweetheart from Highland, Utah, Jill Glade, in the Salt Lake Temple in 1996; played football for Ricks College; and was a key player on one of college football's most remarkable teams. Hawaii is the only school in NCAA history to win as many as eight games (the Warriors finished 8-4) the year following a winless season.

The Warriors have a chance to make it nine wins when they play Oregon State University in the Oahu Bowl on Christmas Day in Honolulu's Aloha Stadium.

"He's been the heart and soul of our offense," Hawaii head coach June Jones said of Robinson during a Church News interview. That statement is backed up by statistics as Robinson is one of the nation's passing leaders with nearly 4,000 yards. Also, Jones was quick to point out that Robinson is "one of the best kids I've ever coached."

Because of his talent and standards, Robinson has been an asset to both the Hawaii football team and the Church. A bold headline over one article about Robinson in the Honolulu Adverstiser declared, "Mr. Nice Guy," with a deck that said, "UH's Dan Robinson is role model as student, father, volunteer and person."

"This has been such a good thing for the Church," Area Authority Seventy Donald L. Hallstrom told the Church News during an interview. Elder Hallstrom, who lives in Hawaii, continued, "Dan has been a wonderful example of a solid, committed Church member. He's exemplified gospel principles in the way he has conducted himself in every facet of his personal life and his football career."

Robinson landed in Hawaii via Ricks College after his mission. At Ricks, he started at quarterback his sophomore season and drew the attention of several four-year schools that recruited him. In the meantime, Jill returned from serving in the Spain Madrid Mission and they were married. Together, they had to choose a place to continue their education from a list of several options including including Arkansas State, Oregon State and Utah State, as well as Hawaii. In a Church News interview, Robinson said Hawaii's passing offense persuaded him to go there.

Jones listed Robinson's assets as a strong arm, intangible leadership skills and, most of all, toughness. That toughness was critical during his first two years in Hawaii. He redshirted his first season because of stress fractures in both legs. He was the starter at quarterback the following season, but saw much of the 0-12 debacle from flat on his back as he was sacked dozens of times. "It wasn't easy, but I was still playing a game I love," Robinson explained.

Coping with the ups and downs of big-time football, Robinson has been able to balance his life by setting proper priorities. "My wife and family and the Church always come first," he said. "It's nice to have a relief on Sundays, to get away from football and college."

Sharing membership with the Robinsons in the Manoa Ward, Honolulu Hawaii Stake, Elder Hallstrom has admired the Robinsons. He said: "From the very beginning, whatever assignments they were given in the ward, they fulfilled with all diligence." Dan is currently teaching the Course 15 Sunday School class.

There's very little beach time in Hawaii for the Robinsons. Dan has kept a commitment he made to his wife's father that he would see that she had the opportunity to earn a degree. They will graduate together this month, he with a 3.7 grade point average in pre-medicine and she with a 4.0 in English as a Second Language. Their daughter was born on Christmas Day in 1997 and was appropriately named Malia which, in Hawaiian, means Mary. Parents scheduled their classes so that they could take turns tending Malia rather than putting her in day-care. The Robinsons are expecting their second child early next year.

Decisions that have to be made about the future — he would like to play football at the next level and has medical school as an option — are set aside for the moment as Robinson has his sights set exclusively on the Oahu Bowl. But he remains an outstanding young man with a good future ahead of him.