UH’s Milne might
be big against Tide
There's absolutely no respect for state lines when it comes to football player procurement in the Southeastern Conference. Even when it's a punter who is at stake.
Hawaii second-year freshman Kurt Milne grew up in Roswell, Ga., and the Crimson Tide came a callin' from Tuscaloosa, Ala., about 200 miles away.
"They talked to me, sent me some letters my sophomore year. That kind of died out once they started changing the coaches there," said Milne, who ended up an invited walk-on at UH last year when his brother showed the Warriors coaches a tape of Milne punting.
Milne said about 30 of his high school friends go to school at Alabama (4-8), which Hawaii (7-4) plays Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
"Some of them are talking about coming to this game," he said.
They might be disappointed if Milne has a game like last week against Army, though. UH never punted in the 59-28 victory, so Milne spent all his time on the sideline.
"I felt that (not getting in) about the third quarter, but I had to keep stretching and staying loose," Milne said. "I swing my leg the whole time the offense has the ball, until they get in field goal range. So it was pretty tiring anyway."
Milne doesn't have the booming leg power of Mat McBriar, the punter he succeeds at UH. But he has shown good touch in landing 12 of his 43 punts this season inside the opponents' 20 yard line. He averages 39.7 yards a kick.
If Saturday's game is defense-oriented like last year's 21-16 Alabama victory, Milne could be a big factor in the outcome.
He agrees the Warriors are a little more relaxed about playing a team with a national name now that it's their second encounter.
"I think it should've been like that in the first place. We're definitely good enough to compete. It was close last year. I think we might come out on top this time," Milne said. "I grew up around SEC football, but nothing beats Hawaii."
Owens, Moenoa gimpy: UH junior receiver Chad Owens sat out the last part of practice yesterday and limped off the field with what he described as "turf toe."
He said it won't prevent him from playing Saturday.
Junior right guard Uriah Moenoa spent the last 20 minutes of yesterday's hour-long session on the exercise bike. Moenoa has been bothered by a sore knee, and coach June Jones pulled him out of Saturday's game early as a precaution.
Hosting the Tide: Peter Kim, owner of Yummy Korean Bar-B-Q, is the only football player to have lettered for both Hawaii and Alabama.
The Kaiser High School graduate was a kicker for UH in 1978 before completing his career in Tuscaloosa. His last game, the 1982 Liberty Bowl, was also the last game for legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Kim has named some of his restaurants "Bear's" in honor of him.
As he did last year, Kim is hosting many old friends from his Alabama days.
"It's already started. We're playing some golf, having some dinners," said Kim, who went to Alabama's homecoming game this season. "But I have respect for both schools. I'm hoping for a close game."
No hoops for Abe: Since the UH football team "requisitioned" a couple of players from the Rainbows basketball team (forwards-turned-defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis and Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan), it would be only fair if a gridder or two went to the hardcourt, right?
An obvious candidate would be junior cornerback Abraham Elimimian. Basketball was actually his best sport at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, where he was team MVP of a league championship team as a 5-foot-10 point guard.
But Elimimian said he has no plans to try out for basketball after football season is over.
"I've thought about it. I miss it so much and truly love the sport," Elimimian said. "But my dad (Isaac) told me not to do it. He doesn't want me to be a jack of all trades and master of none."
Throw me the ball: Alabama backup center Matt Lomax filled in at tight end last week against Auburn.
"Matt performed well," Crimson Tide coach Mike Shula said. "He communicated some things that helped us make adjustments. He's flexible in his mind."
But Shula laughingly said he might have created a monster.
"This week he's begging for a pass route. There's a price for everything," the coach said.
Guru at banquet: Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Frank Gansz, considered a preeminent authority on special teams play, is the guest speaker at the UH's Na Koa awards banquet.
The event is Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Waikiki at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50. Call Ben Yee at 734-6194 or 542-8912 for reservations.
