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An offensive lineman has left Washington State’s football team.

The school confirmed that Jake Rodgers, a fourth-year junior who attended Shadle Park High School in Spokane, has chosen not to play for the Cougars next season.

His transfer destination has yet to be confirmed.

Rodgers started all 12 of WSU’s games as a redshirt sophomore in 2012 and played every position on the offensive line except center. He missed all of spring practice this year while recovering from an undisclosed injury, but figured to compete for playing time if he returned healthy in the fall.

WSU coach Mike Leach touted the team’s bolstered offensive line depth throughout the spring, noting that the Cougars were able to field two full five-man units, something they couldn’t do last year when injuries and defections hurt their numbers.

Rodgers’ departure leaves WSU’s roster with five Spokane natives: offensive linemen Elliott Bosch and Joe Dahl, quarterback Connor Halliday, receiver Conner Johnson, and safety Mitchell Peterson.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Three-run home runs are cool, sure, and oftentimes can be crucial to winning a baseball game. But catching a short flip from the first baseman very well may be more important. Read on.

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Washington State linebacker/defensive end Logan Mayes was cited Thursday for hit and run, though Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant described the alleged traffic accident as “relatively minor.”

Tennant said an eyewitness called the police after seeing Mayes back his vehicle into another car in a parking lot. Mayes allegedly drove away without stopping to examine the damage or leave his information.

After police ran the car's plate number and contacted Mayes, Tennant said, the player admitted that he had bumped into another car and drove away. He was given a misdemeanor citation for hit and run and was released, meaning he wasn't handcuffed or taken to the station.

Tennant said the other car had a cracked taillight lens, but that the damage cost estimate was below the $750 minimum that would require police to file a traffic collision report.

Mayes has a scheduled court appearance the morning of June 4, according to Whitman County District Court records.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Things you would expect to see in Cleveland: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the house where they filmed “A Christmas Story,” LeBron James haters. Things you wouldn't expect to see in Cleveland: a first-place baseball team, Kevin Costner, Felix Hernandez being knocked around like Eric Bedard. Yet all those unexpected things were available for viewing yesterday. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

When you sit down every day – and by every day, I mean every day – to write a sports-related blog post, you never know what occurrence will tickle your fancy and set you down the road to the finished product. You'll never believe what got me going this morning. Read on.

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News of another oral commitment broke yesterday — though this one is from a player who plans to arrive this season — but some more bad news also broke for the WSU football team. Keep reading for accounts of both.

S-R photojournalist Jesse Tinsley covered the 3A/4A track regionals today.  Check out a big picture gallery of his photos.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

There was a considerable amount of optimism in the Mariners clubhouse Thursday night. Then came Friday in Cleveland. Read on.

The Shock battle the New Orleans VooDoo in the Arena.  Check out S-R photojournalist Colin Mulvany's photos from the game in a big picture gallery.

Spokane has made some lineup changes in preparation for tonight's game against New Orleans in the Arena. The Shock (5-3) have dropped three straight and slipped from first to third in the four-team West Division. They're 1-2 at home.

More about Spokane's roster moves and a game preview here.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

It is the middle of May, right? Not September or October? Good. After reading about the atmosphere in the Mariners' clubhouse yesterday, I was afraid I had fallen asleep and awoken three or four months in the future. Read on.

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There are a few news items to pass along this morning from WSU, so click the jump to read the links.

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WSU announced Thursday that it will cancel all afternoon classes on the Pullman campus on Oct. 31, which is when the Cougars host Arizona State. It's also a Thursday night. It's also Halloween. Here's the release from the office of president Elson Floyd:

In an effort to increase the number of conference football games given national television exposure each season, the PAC-12 has significantly increased the number of regular-season conference football games scheduled to be played on Thursday and Friday nights.

As a result, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, Washington State University will host Arizona State University in a conference football game at Martin Stadium, affording us the opportunity to share the beauty of our unique Pullman campus before a national television audience in a broadcast carried by one of the ESPN family of networks. This is a rare opportunity for our university. It is also the first time since 2005 that WSU has played a Thursday home football game, so it presents some special challenges.

In an effort to address those challenges, I solicited input from our athletic director as to best industry practices from around the country. I also have reached out to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee as well as the Deans Council for their input on this important issue. After taking all recommendations into account, I have authorized that attendance to all classes the morning of Oct. 31 be made optional at the discretion of faculty and that all afternoon classes that day be canceled as part of our efforts to ensure the safety and ease of travel throughout campus for faculty, staff, students and fans. This closure solely affects the Pullman campus.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

COUGARS

Washington State running back Teondray Caldwell was arrested on May 7 on suspicion of assault and burglary stemming from an April 28 incident at a Pullman residence.

KQQQ 1150 AM in Pullman reported that Caldwell and a group of WSU football players were denied entry to a party, and that Caldwell allegedly struck a man sitting on the porch.

A Pullman Police spokesperson said police responded to a citizen dispute on April 28, but the suspect had left the area when officers arrived and the alleged victims did not want to press charges or assist in the investigation.

But after a series of conversations and interviews, police arrested Caldwell, a sophomore from Los Angeles, on May 7 on suspicion of first-degree burglary and second-degree assault.

Charges have not been filed. KQQQ reported that Caldwell is due in Whitman County Superior Court on Friday morning, but it’s unclear whether Caldwell will have to appear. A Whitman County clerk told the Spokesman-Review that an order was issued on May 13^th exonerating the conditions of Caldwell’s release, meaning he may not have to appear in court tomorrow.

But the clerk also said it’s still possible charges could be filed.

Caldwell rushed for 229 yards as a freshman last season and served as the team’s primary kick returner. A WSU spokesman said coaches will handle the matter internally, as is customary under coach Mike Leach.

Caldwell wrote on his Twitter page (WSU players were apparently allowed back on the site recently): “All these allegations but none of it is true! Don't believe the media. I'm in good hands.”

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

A GRIP ON SPORTS

You are walking down the street. You come across David Stern's limo, which has a flat tire. He is standing outside the car, holding a dead phone in his hand. No one else is around. Do you: A) pull out your phone and call for help; B) ignore him and walk away; or C) tell him exactly how you feel concerning his treatment of Seattle over the years? Read on.

Gonzaga was hoping to land UNLV transfer Mike Moser, but he ended picking Oregon. Now comes the news that Tulane transfer Josh Davis has chosen San Diego State.

The Zags have been trying to beef up their front court, which returns Sam Dower and Przemek Karnowski, but they weren't able to land Moser or Davis.

More on Davis' decision here. He spent a couple days visiting SDSU, committed and then called off recruiting visits to Gonzaga and Ohio State.  

The reshaping of the nearly 40-year-old Kibbie Dome continued Wednesday, when the University of Idaho gained approval from the State Board of Education to install a 50-foot wide, 30-foot tall video board on the east wall of the stadium.

The board will be ready for football games this fall and cost $1.15 million, according to the Idaho Statesman. The athletic department's portion of the total is $787,321, all of which is being funded privately.

Athletic director Rob Spear said tonight that two of the five advertising panels on the state-of-the-art board have yet to be sold. The main sponsor is the Idaho Potato Commission, which will have a large Famous Idaho Potatoes banner across the top of the board. Also involved are Blue Cross of Idaho and Commercial Tire. “I’m very confident we’ll sell two panels,” said Spear, noting that sponsors are paying for the advertising rights over five years but will be able to keep their name on the board for 10 years.

The Kibbie Dome in recent years has undergone a major facelift, getting translucent light panels on both ends, a new club room (surrounded by suites and premium seats) and a new press box. Spear has also pushed through a new weight room, updated lockers and meeting rooms and an outdoor practice field.

“It’s night and day from where it was before,” Spear said.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

I'm pretty sure it was Yogi Berra who said, “it ain't over until it's over.” Or something akin to that. Whatever. That saying has a double meaning today. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

There have been some weird baseball injuries over the years. Joba Chamberlain on a trampoline with his son. Josh Outman throwing up and straining a muscle. Luke Scott pulling a hamstring in a home run trot. But last night I may have outdone them all. Read on.

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Most college football news that originates in the month of May is centered around recruiting, and that's the topic of today's morning post. Keep reading.