Rainbows again change
their colors for Aztecs

UH turns to different schemes
in hopes of ending SDSU's reign

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Two University of Hawaii head coaches, three offensive coordinators and four defensive coordinators haven't been able to figure it out. Yes, San Diego State University's domination over the University of Hawaii in the 1990s is an unsolved mystery that would stymie Robert Stack.

Since 1990, Hawaii has tried the spread option, the West Coast offense and the 3-4 and the 4-3 defensives, only to be outscored 331-142 in seven games.

Tomorrow night at Aloha Stadium, second-year defensive coordinator Don Lindsey unveils his version of the 3-4 to try to slow an offense that ran through the Rainbows in 1996.

Wally English also will be kept busy. He will be the fourth UH offensive coordinator this decade to test a San Diego State defense usually blessed with size and speed.

English's pro-style offense is similar to the West Coast offense, but unfortunately for English, he won't be able to go very deep into the playbook. Senior quarterback Tim Carey won't be able to play for at least another week, meaning sophomore Josh Skinner will start against an Aztecs defense well aware of the Rainbows' shortcomings.

Since Skinner took over for the injured Carey, the Rainbows are 1-2, averaging 10.3 points and 221 yards a game.

Skinner has completed 33 of 57 passes for 361 yards and one touchdown as a starter. He has been sacked 10 times, proving English's theory that it's not all the quarterback's fault.

An injury-riddled offensive line -- left tackle Adrian Klemm (ankle), center Shane Oliveira (strep throat and ankle) and right guard Gary Krug (knee) have missed playing time -- has contributed to the Rainbows' woes.

"Josh has come in and done the best job he could for this football team," English said. "He came in under difficult circumstances, and for the most part, has acquitted himself well.

"But we're not running the same offense we worked so hard on during spring and fall camp. We've had to modify it to fit what Josh does best. We've also faced two strong teams (Colorado State and BYU) up front that were able to overmatch us physically.

"San Diego State is another physical football team. They run the 4-3 like a lot of teams we've seen this season. But unlike BYU, they like to play more zone than man in the secondary. We want to shake a few of our receivers loose and we want to establish Charles Tharp as much as we can."

Tharp rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-16 win over Fresno State two weeks ago. Skinner had his best game as well against Fresno State, completing 11 of 15 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown.

In the two losses to Colorado State and BYU, Tharp rushed for 93 yards on 28 carries. A bruised shoulder slowed him against BYU, but he said he's feeling better.

That's good news for Lindsey. He needs the offense to control the ball and keep the high-powered San Diego State offense off the field.

San Diego State freshman quarterback Spencer Brinton isn't a proven commodity. But wide receiver Az Hakim has kept Lindsey awake at night.

"He frightens me to death," Lindsey said. "All their quarterback has to do is throw it 10 yards and let Hakim do the rest. All he needs is a little crack and he's gone. We don't have anybody close to being able to catch him in the open field.

"If I'm a Protestant, I pray. If I'm a Catholic, I make the sign of the cross. If I'm a Muslim, I lie flat. And if I'm a Buddhist, I sit cross-legged on the floor. I want everybody to go through the whole thing every time he touches the football."

Lindsey has good reason to fear Hakim. He is fourth all-time at San Diego State in receiving yards (2,582), fifth in all-purpose yards (3,649 yards), fifth in kick return yards (999) and seventh in receptions (146). All despite a leg injury that sidelined him for the final four games of 1996. Hakim could still catch Darnay Scott in receiving yards before the year is out.

"They also look like they've found themselves a running back (sophomore Jonas Lewis, who has 347 rushing yards)," Lindsey said. "And they have a big old offensive tackle (6-foot-6, 305-pound Kyle Turley) who doesn't just block you, but tries to kill you. He'll body slam our guys and just jump on top of them.

"So as you can see, this is a team with some excellent players who will come at you in multiple sets. I'm sure they kept it simple last week against UNLV because they had to with a new quarterback. But we look for them to open it up some this week and try to exploit some of our weaknesses."

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