UH DE Shawley’s return an inspiration to Mesa College players

SAN DIEGO >> For 30 minutes, the 20 San Diego Mesa College football players waited on the concrete bleachers. 

It was a year ago that University of Hawaii defensive end Luke Shawley was one of them, a junior college player hungering to play at the next level. With the Warriors conducting a 40-minute practice on the Olympians’ FieldTurf, it was an opportunity to see — live and in person — that dreams can come true. 

"Luke’s an inspiration for the players and the coaches," San Diego Mesa coach Thad Porlas said. "His goal was to go to the University of Hawaii. He fought hard for it."

It was three years ago that Shawley was seeking a post-Navy SEALS life. Without any previous football experience, Shawley joined the Olympians. 

"Our coaches did a good job teaching the basics," Porlas said, adding Shawley was fueled by "that mean streak."

Shawley, perhaps, was undersized as a defensive end. That’s the position at which he enrolled. 

"What a great defensive lineman he is," Porlas said. "He’ll get blocked, but he’ll get back up and make the tackle on the other side of the field. He never gives up."

Porlas’ son, Dane, played safety for the Warriors. 

NFL scouts at UH practice

Six NFL scouts and a representative of a collegiate all-star game attended the Warriors’ practice on Friday. 

There are several Warriors on the NFL’s radar, including running back Joey Iosefa. He is serving a three-game suspension following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. 

More than 10 NFL scouts are expected to attend Saturday’s game. 

Pu’u-Robinson back at Qualcomm

It was a little more than two years ago that tight end Jordan Pu’u-Robinson last played at Qualcomm Stadium. 

It was a memorable night for Pu’u-Robinson. 

"I shattered my finger," said Pu’u-Robinson, who was playing defensive end. 

Still, Pu’u-Robinson said: "It’s nice to go back to the venue. It’s cool. The fans are a little far away from the sidelines, but other than that, it’s a nice big stadium. They don’t have a lot of people there, but they’re loud, from what I remember."

There is a possibility Pu’u-Robinson will align as a backfield blocker in certain plays. He said he likes the idea of a running start. 

"When you get more momentum into your blocks, you get a little more pop, a little more collision," he said. "We want to be physical. That’s the motto of our offense."

Belief is key in football

At halftime of the Wyoming game, linebacker Lance Williams was credited with inspiring teammates with his speech on "believing." 

It was a theme used during the Warriors’ 12-0 regular season in 2007. 

"Believe has always been in my life," Williams said. "If you believe, everything is going to fall into place."