The running back in Professor J's offense is a forgotten commodity. He sees the football about as often as the fullback in the I or a wide receiver in the wishbone. Most of the time, it's a thankless job.
Now, that doesn't mean the running back can't be a hero with a different cape. His joy has to come in protecting the quarterback long enough for him -- pardon us Mr. Shakespeare -- to sling the arrows of outrageous fortune.
"You have to wait your turn if you're a running back in this offense,'' Hawaii running backs coach Wes Suan conceded. "Most of the time, the run is there to keep the defense honest. The good thing is, when we run the football, a lot of times it's for a big play.''
Professor J uses a two-headed monster in his latest version of the run-and-shoot.
Seniors Afatia Thompson and Avion Weaver shared the stage quite nicely last year. Thompson, who is the better blocker, started the first half. He finished the season with 435 yards and three touchdowns. Thompson averaged 4.8 yards a carry.
Weaver, the better runner, carried the ball 114 times for 645 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 5.7 yards a carry.
Professor J likes to say that the biggest misconception of the run-and-shoot is you don't rush the ball well. That may be true. But Hawaii gained only 1,069 rushing yards last year as a team. By comparison, opposing teams rushed for 2,240 yards.
"We don't carry the football that often,'' Weaver conceded. "But when we do, it's usually for big yardage. Teams are looking to stop the pass first, then the run. And that's the opposite of what most defenses try to do to win a football game.''
Thompson and Weaver may share some of their running duties with fellow senior James Fenderson. Used primarily on special teams last year , Fenderson may be the strongest runner of the threesome. He carried the football only two times in 1999, but gained 22 yards.
"What a running back has to be able to do most in our offense is block and sacrifice his body to make sure the quarterback gets the ball off,'' Suan said. "They have to be quick at picking up the right man breaking through the offensive line. Protection is key.''
Thompson is working through a bit of a hip injury, while Weaver is hoping to prove those who voted him a candidate for the Doak Walker Award were right in there thinking. This year, Professor J may set aside the two-headed monster and clear the way for Weaver to have a 1,000-yard season.
At this position
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 5 | AFATIA THOMPSON* | 5-10 | 215 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: HONOLULU |
| 20 | AVION WEAVER | 5-10 | 228 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: SACRAMENTO, CALIF. |
| 39 | JAMES FENDERSON | 5-10 | 197 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: MILILANI |
* Denotes starter
