Jason Wright refuses to let 3,342 miles get in the way of following what has become the "Urban legend."

To monitor University of Hawaii football games, Wright has organized wide-screen viewing parties, made drives from Littleton, Colo., to road games in the Pacific and Mountain time zones, and traveled to Honolulu.

And much to his surprise, Wright watched the live telecast of son Brenden Urban’s unexpected performance in UH’s 17-16 loss to nationally ranked Washington this past Saturday.

"He didn’t know I was going to play," Urban said, smiling. "He figured I would be on scout (team) for a couple weeks. He texted me right when I got into the game. I checked it after the game. We talked for an hour. He was super excited."

A little more than two weeks ago, Urban did not think he would play football this season because of financial reasons. Even with the Western Undergraduate Exchange’s reduced tuition rate, Urban figured he would need about $20,000 for school and living expenses this academic year.

Coach Norm Chow asked Urban to reconsider. Urban arrived in town on Aug. 23, received a football scholarship two days later, and was summoned to replace injured center Kody Afusia in the second UH possession against Washington.

"When they asked me to go in, my eyes were this big," said Urban, forming the A-OK sign with his thumb and index finger.

Urban snapped for 77 of the Warriors’ 97 offensive plays.

"I never really played in a real (Division I) game before," said Urban, who was used for two point-after snaps in Wyoming last year. "I was excited and scared at the same time."

Urban made the blocking calls while facing Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton, who was named to The Sporting News’ preseason All-America first team.

"He did a nice job," Chow said.

Chow and line coach Chris Naeole were confident Urban would do well despite missing the offseason conditioning program and practicing mostly with the scouts. Both coaches were impressed with Urban’s football IQ and diligence. Urban competed in baseball and karate as a youth, but football became his passion.

"There’s nothing like football," Urban said.

After high school, Urban and best friend Ben Clarke took separate paths. Urban went to Adams State, Clarke came to Hawaii. While Clarke would develop into a starting center at UH, Urban played before 2,000 fans at Adams State’s games.

A year later, Urban decided to abandon his half-ride deal and "try my luck" at UH. At Clarke’s urging, Urban was allowed to walk on. Urban also said UH was better academically. "At Hawaii, I can actually get an education that means something," Urban said.

But after two years, Urban was prepared to find a job so he could attend UH as a non-playing student. Still, he kept in shape during the summer. As for snapping, Urban said, "I didn’t do it over the summer, but it was like riding a bike. It came back to me."

During Tuesday’s practice, Urban was with the first-team offense. He admittedly had "a rough practice." In comparison to the other blockers on the No. 1 line, "I’m obviously the weak link," he said.

But he said: "I’m going to keep working hard. I have to be ready."