Hawaii defensive back Ryan Pasoquen has a torn ACL in his right knee and will miss the 2012 football season.

It was a disappointing setback for Pasoquen, who was in contention for the nickelback’s job after redshirting as a freshman in 2011.

"It’s unfortunate, but he’s out for the season," head coach Norm Chow said.

Pasoquen said he suffered the injury while trying to make a cut during a kickoff drill.

"My knee just gave out," Pasoquen said.

He said he will undergo surgery after the swelling subsides and his knee can regain a fuller range of motion. The operation will likely occur in about two weeks.

"He was in the rotation," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. "Unfortunately, that happens. It’s a part of the game. He’s a great kid. He’ll come back from this. He’ll be OK."

Pasoquen had the option of returning to the Manoa campus for treatments or to remain at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, where the Warriors are training this week.

"I wanted to stay in camp and hang with the boys," Pasoquen said. "I’ll give them moral support now that I can’t help them with scout stuff."

Fields doesn’t qualify

Chow said cornerback Ronald Fields will not meet the requirements to play for the Warriors this season. Fields needs to complete classwork at College of San Mateo. He won’t be finished before the start of UH’s fall semester on Monday.

But Chow said he will hold a scholarship for Fields, and is hopeful he will be able to enroll at UH in January.

Fields has a redshirt year. If he qualifies in January, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Chow also said the NCAA is requesting more information from defensive end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, who is seeking to play this season after transferring from Washington State. The NCAA requires a player to sit out a season after transferring between FBS schools. Pu‘u-Robinson petitioned for an exemption, citing his need to transfer because of a family situation.

"(The NCAA) didn’t say ‘no,’ " Chow said. "That’s a good thing."

Gant a quick healer

After suffering a sprained ankle last week, wide receiver Chris Gant received grim news from the medical staff.

"They said I’d be out three to four weeks," Gant recalled.

He then offered them his news: "I tried to turn it into three or four days."

Gant proved to be a quick healer, resuming practice on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, he wore a yellow jersey, the uniform for players who are on limited-contact status. But Gant was allowed to compete in passing drills.

"It’s a mind over matter thing," Gant said. "We have two and half weeks before our first game. I can’t sit out. I needed to get back out and get the timing down with the quarterbacks."

Gant is competing for the starting job at Z receiver, which is aligned on the strong side of the formation. He also is the offset returner on kickoff returns.

"I give credit to the medical staff," Gant said. "They kept on me."

Lutu a quick study at safety

Safety Leroy Lutu is scheduled to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science in December. But right now, he is focused on his football studies.

"I’ve been in my playbook a lot," Lutu said.

Lutu, who started his UH sports career on the basketball team, is practicing as a safety and nickelback this training camp.

"He’s a tough kid," Kaumeyer said. "He’s smart. He’s getting better awareness."

Lutu was impressive enough during spring training to earn a scholarship. He recently received his first check.

"Hard work pays off," Lutu said. "I’ve been blessed to be in this situation. My family is very happy. They don’t have to take care of their big boy anymore."