Eleu Kane has a unique perspective for Saturday's game between Montana and Hawaii. He played for both colleges. Kane a Grizzly Warrior
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe wide receiver was a Grizzly in 1994 and '95 before transferring to UH, where he started in 1997 and '98.
Kane said he won't be able to attend the game at Maui's War Memorial Stadium, but will watch it on TV.
"It's going to be interesting, now that UH passes the ball," Kane said. "I know that the coaching staff at Montana has changed, but they still throw a lot. It should be good to watch from an offensive standpoint."
Kane said he left Montana because of homesickness.
"It was a very good experience. I really enjoyed the staff and football, but the place was too much of a culture change. ... The weather, no ocean, the food," he said. "But football was a very good situation. We were winning a lot. We won the (I-AA) championship my last year. I honestly think we could have been a Top 25 team.
"There's not much difference between Division I and I-AA. We had Dave Dickenson at quarterback, who's with the San Diego Chargers now. (Iolani graduate) Brian Ah Yat became the starter the next year."
Kane worked at the state Legislature last session and is now taking classes at UH toward a master's degree in business.
Hurt report: An update from the UH sports media relations department yesterday lists starting safety Jacob Espiau as probable for Saturday with a groin injury.
Defensive tackle Lui Fuga (shoulder), defensive end Travis Laboy (hamstring) and offensive lineman Jonathan Ekno (leg) are all listed as out. Laboy, who missed all of training camp, began practicing late last week.
Air waves: UH coach June Jones will appear at Murphy's Bar & Grill at 6:30 tonight for KCCN-1420's "Call The Coach Show."
Also, "XL: The UH Sports Show" debuts tonight at 7:30 on Hawaii Public Television. It repeats Saturday at 1 p.m.
Been there: Former UH cornerback Shawndel Tucker is now a student assistant, helping secondary coach Rich Miano with the defensive backs.
"I'm just trying to give them the little experience I have and giving them things to work on," said Tucker who, started 10 games for the Warriors last year. "I'd like to coach more later on, once I can't go (as a player) anymore."
Tucker, who played for the arena football Detroit Fury under coach Mouse Davis last spring, said he hopes to get a shot with the CFL or NFL after graduation.
Short yardage: Jones said he expected to get his first look last night at tape of Montana's 31-17 season-opening victory over Cal Poly on Saturday. ... The Grizzlies' win was their 10th-consecutive victory at an opponent's stadium (last year's loss to Georgia Southern was at a neutral site). ... UH leads the series with Montana 3-1. Hawaii won the last meeting, in 1982, 40-0. Montana won the first time they played, in 1947, 14-12. ... The Warriors did not practice yesterday. They resumed morning workouts today (7-9 a.m.) through Thursday. Friday's 4-5 p.m. practice is closed. ... End zone tickets are still available for Saturday's game from Ticket Plus at 526-4400.