By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Charles Tharp might help Quincy Jacobs heal up a bit quicker.

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Lightning
strikes Rainbows

Charles Tharp bolts 70 yards
for a TD the first time
he carries the ball

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Charles Tharp's first play in Aloha Stadium was for 70 stunning yards and a touchdown.

In last night's scrimmage, the young man bashed into the left side of the offensive line, did a pirouette ballerinas dream about, then returned to planet Earth, running untouched up the left sideline.

Granted, it's a little early to start ooohing and ahhhing. After all, the run was against the scout defense, on a play the young backups had never seen.

But it was still impressive. Kind of took everyone's breath away; a little reminiscent to how people felt the first time Roy Hobbs hit a booming homer in batting practice. Awed, but still suspicious that it was only beginner's luck.

"No way," UH running backs coach Don Dillon said. "The run was absolutely awesome. He hits 600 pounds of beef and keeps his feet. You can't teach that."

UH head coach Fred vonAppen gave a more cautious review of Tharp, who rushed the ball eight times for 100 yards and a touchdown. He not only has the ability to get outside and turn the corner, but to pick up the tough yards in the lawless avenues of the off-guard and off-tackle plays.

"I was impressed with Tharp, but we kind of expected him to look like that out here," vonAppen said. "The fullbacks also had some nice runs."

The Rainbows were without projected starting tailback Quincy Jacobs, who is sidelined with a pulled muscle. After watching what the freshman Tharp could do in the pulpit, the senior Jacobs might heal a bit faster.

Talk all you want about going vertical with the pass game. It will be more horizontal if the Rainbows can't run the football any better than last year's paltry 136 yards an outing.

If you can average 200 yards a game on the ground, you can pass as much as you want. Like a truck-stop diner, the receivers will be open all night.

Tharp could be what the Rainbows have been looking for since the evenings Jeff Sydner thrilled the Aloha Stadium crowds with his electrifying runs.

Photo By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
The first-team offense played against the second-team defense
last night to try to establish its rhythm. The offensive unit got
satisfactory reviews, but still needs to fine-tune its pass
blocking, according to offensive coordinator Wally English.

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But unlike Sydner's water-bug, out-of-control jaunts that left you on the edge of your seat, Tharp's are more fluid, more effortless.

"I'm just out there trying to do my best," Tharp said. "Compete for some time and hopefully get in there. When you walk into this stadium, you can feel the mystique of the whole thing.

"I can't wait to get in here with 35,000 screaming fans. (On the long touchdown run), I was just trying to keep my feet moving and make something happen."

In high school, the 5-foot-8, 183-

pounder made a lot of things happen en route to rushing for 2,007 yards and 25 touchdowns his senior season. This kind of explosive potential has VonAppen not only penciling him in at tailback, but returning punts and kicks as well.

Look out Eddie Klaneski. The other No. 21 on the team just might steal your thunder.

"He looked great out there," Klaneski conceded. "I just wish I could have been out there with him. The coaches are killing us not letting us play."

The head hunters were held out again to give the No. 1 offense an opportunity to develop a rhythm. The top defensive unit might get a chance in tomorrow afternoon's second scrimmage at Aloha Stadium -- this time in the scorching sun -- but the coaches want to review the films today before drawing any lasting conclusions.

"We were pretty good running the ball," UH offensive coordinator Wally English said. "What we really need to work on is pass protection when we have to throw the ball out of the pocket on third and seven. But we're getting better."

Senior quarterback Tim Carey also lived up to his advance billing. When he wasn't dodging defensive linemen and linebackers, the Stanford University transfer completed six of 10 passes for 68 yards.

"It felt good to be out running around on the turf and stuff," Carey said. "I think Coach English really mixes it up well. I felt comfortable out there."

Backup Dan Robinson was only two for nine, but he did toss a touchdown strike of 13 yards to senior tight end Lonn Kalama on a crossing route. Place-kicker Eric Hannum added field goals of 31 and 36 yards. The sophomore appears to be nailing down the place-kicker job, while sophomore Chad Shrout will be the punter.