Making an unexpected appearance in an unfamiliar position didn’t fluster Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson.
"For some reason I was more calm in that game than any game in my career, I don’t know why," Pu‘u-Robinson said of his debut with the University of Hawaii football team last week.
"When your number’s called you have to play no matter what."
There wasn’t time for jitters; given the whirlwind that thrust Pu‘u-Robinson into the Warriors’ defensive line rotation.
The Washington State transfer was ruled eligible to join the Warriors’ active roster just hours before the team departed for last week’s road trip to BYU. He took the field in a UH uniform for the first time two days later when injuries depleted the defensive line.
"I grew up watching this team and cheering for them and it was really special for me to be with the local boys and play for my home state," said Pu‘u-Robinson, who recorded a tackle as part of a patchwork defensive front in the loss.
Pu‘u-Robinson practiced with the defense’s top tiers during fall camp but served on the scout team after having an appeal initially denied by the NCAA. Following a reversal of the ruling, he’s now part of the Warriors’ game plan heading into Saturday’s Mountain West Conference game at San Diego State.
"I feel great for the guy because he was here all through camp busting his butt. He was on the scout team helping us out the whole time and he’s been wanting to play," fellow defensive lineman Beau Yap said. "Finally getting to see him play was just great for us and great for him."
Pu‘u-Robinson (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) and Yap (6-1, 260) are defensive ends by nature but were asked to fill in at tackle last week due to a series of injuries to UH’s interior linemen. Since fall camp, Calen Friel, Moses Samia and Geordon Hanohano suffered season-ending injuries. Siasau Matagiese and Marcus Malepeai were also hurt against BYU, leaving the Warriors’ alarmingly thin at tackle.
"I never played D-tackle before but I just tried to get in there and do my job, that’s all you can do," Pu‘u-Robinson said. "Guys are a little heavier on the inside, but it’s football. Just get off, strike, it’s all the same."
Whatever position he plays, Pu‘u-Robinson is grateful for the opportunity to play this season.
A Baldwin graduate, he gave up a scholarship at Washington State to transfer to Hawaii, a move triggered by a family situation. He applied for an exemption to be eligible without having to sit out a season, but was denied just before the Sept. 1 season opener.
The UH staff continued to appeal on his behalf and the NCAA changed the ruling last week, making him available to play right away.
"I’m on my way to class and they say, ‘pack up, we’re leaving in a couple hours,’" Pu‘u-Robinson said. "That was probably the happiest I’ve been in a while. It was nice to get cleared and the whole process is over now and I’m just thankful for the help of Coach (Norm) Chow, (director of compliance) Amanda (Paterson) and the university.
"My whole schedule for the next few months really changed, but it’s for the better and I’m happy to be part of the team."
For most of last week, Pu‘u-Robinson’s primary role was running routes against the Warriors’ defense as the scout team tight end. This week he’s part of a defense preparing to face a San Diego State offense ranked 16th in the FBS in rushing with 233.8 yards per game and averaging just over 35 points. The Warriors enter the game 106th in rushing defense in giving up 219 yards per game.
Pu‘u-Robinson has some first-hand experience playing against the Aztecs and will make his second trip to Qualcomm Stadium in as many years. He was credited with a tackle and recovered a fumble in Washington State’s loss to San Diego State last year.
"They play hard with good pad level," Pu‘u-Robinson said. "They ran pretty much the same stuff last year, a lot of power. I recognize some of the players from last year, the scheme’s basically the same."
