BOISE — His career hasn't necessarily gone according to plan, but you won't hear any complaints from Jason Robinson.

Boise State's junior safety has made only four starts in his career and none in his last 20 games. Still, that doesn't mean he hasn't been making big contributions.

Robinson's strip and subsequent recovery of a San Jose State fumble Saturday gave Boise State the ball deep in Spartan territory late in the first half and allowed the Broncos to have a wealth of momentum heading into the locker room as they capitalized for a 24-7 lead.

"I'm aware of my situation," Robinson said. "I've accepted it and just know I have to do everything I can to help this team when I get to be on the field."

Robinson has 18 tackles this season, mainly backing up Winston Venable at the Broncos' linebacker/safety hybrid nickel position.

Though he isn't on the field as much as Kyle Wilson or Jeron Johnson, Robinson still is seen as a role model for other players.

"He sets the right example," Venable said. "The younger guys look up to him and the older guys completely respect him because of the way he handles himself."

His ability to accept a situational role and do it without complaint hasn't gone unnoticed.

"He's one of those guys that Boise State football is all about," head coach Chris Petersen said. "He's not a headline guy, so to speak, in terms of the media, but he's a headline guy in our locker room — what he brings leadership-wise, the example he sets, (he's) not necessarily a starter, but prepares like one, acts like one and when he gets his chance, he produces."

Robinson's demeanor and attitude can be traced to how he was raised, and also by who raised him.

At University High School in Los Angeles, his father, E.C., was the head coach, and it had a lasting effect even when he wasn't walking the sidelines.

"It helped me a ton, especially considering my situation now," Robinson said. "I'm blessed to be able to contribute on a great team."

The way Robinson's teammates look up to his ability to lead by example is similar to that of quarterback Kellen Moore, who also is the son of a coach.

"They're a little bit further along in terms of their thought process, how teams go and how football goes — he's been spectacular in terms of being a true team guy," Petersen said.

When he battled Venable and Doug Martin in Fall Camp at the nickel, Robinson was learning a new position, making it all the more difficult to grab the starting job. With Martin back at running back, and more time getting used to the position, Robinson's feeling confident, though it wasn't always the case.

"There's been brief moments where it's been tough on me, but when you look at the big picture, if you put in the work, you will reap the reward," Robinson said.

Those rewards come in many ways — being a respected member of a top-5 team, being credited with a game-changing play in a win, or even something that had never happened before in his life.

At Hawaii on Oct. 24, punter Kyle Brotzman hit Robinson for a 28-yard gain on a fake punt. A quarterback in youth football and high school, it was an entirely new experience.

"I'd never caught a pass in my life," Robinson said. "I won't lie, it felt pretty good."