Monday morning WSU links and notes
COUGARS • UPDATED: 3:30 P.M.
It's Monday morning and, hey, I got a coffee maker for my birthday, though I really don't know how to use it. And never want to clean it. But it will make a great space-eater on the counter. Yeah. I guess I'll have to dust it once in a while. Crud. Enough of my whining. Let's get on to the links.
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• Washington State: We had a summary of Paul Wulff's Sunday night press conference on the blog last night, and we also had a link to this story. ... That's about it, though I can pass on the news from Cougfan (can't link it though) that one of the recruits in town for a visit this weekend, a large young man, Eli Edwards, from Cerritos JC in Southern California, committed to WSU. Another very large offensive lineman, Stephan Nembot, did not, and he is someone WSU really wants. ... I asked Wulff about having so many recruits at the Oregon game Saturday and if such an effort helps, and he said yes. They seemed to like the atmosphere, players and the vibe around the program, Wulff added. Asked if there was a certain position the Cougars were still targeting, Wulff answered not really. They are still trying to build depth everywhere, though offensive and defensive linemen are still crucial. ... I also forgot to pass on the news about Marquess Wilson. He bruised his shoulder Saturday and is expected to be fine. ... All from the Cougars for now.
• UPDATE: We have a story going into tomorrow's S-R about an arrest of two members of the football team early Sunday morning at their rental house. As soon as the link goes up, we'll give it to you. Until then, here is the story ...
PULLMAN – Pullman police arrested two members of the Washington State University football early Sunday morning after finding 38 marijuana plants growing in a house they rented with two other people.
Jamal Atofau, a redshirt freshman backup linebacker, and Andre Barrington, a redshirt freshman who is academically ineligible this semester, were arrested along with Bailey Woods and Zachary Uttech, according to the police report.
Police came to the home at 1745 NE Lower Drive, just north of Beasley Coliseum to serve an unrelated search warrant, according to police spokesman Cmdr. Chris Tennant.
While conducting that search, Tennant said, they discovered the marijuana plants growing in a basement room. They obtained a drug-related warrant, searched the room, found plants, manufacturing equipment and paraphernalia. The four residents, including the two football players, were arrested.
"We're in a college town, it's not that unusual to find five or six plants growing in somebody's individual bedroom," Tennant said. "Thirty-eight plants in a residence is quite a big deal for us."
The four were taken to Pullman Police Station, booked and released on their own recognizance, Tennant said. All four were charged with a violation of the uniformed controlled substance act, the severity of which depends on the weight of the marijuana seized. That will be determined when the plants are dry, according to Tennant.
Atofau has been suspended from team activities while coach Paul Wulff gathers information concerning the incident, a WSU spokesman said. Because Barrington is ineligible and has not been practicing, suspension was unnecessary.
Atofau, who also plays on special teams, has appeared in five games and has eight tackles.
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• Around the Pac-10: ESPN.com's Ted Miller takes a look at the conference at the halfway point and has his weekly Pac-10 power rankings. This is a much more fluid list than the national rankings, as the LA Times' Chris Dufresne points out. ... Bud Withers looks back at the weekend. ... Washington: Wow, Steve Sarkisian is coming under some criticism after the loss to Arizona State. ... Oregon State: It's still not sure if James Rodgers will be out for the season, but there is talk if he is, he'll apply for a medical redshirt. ... Oregon: The Ducks moved up to second in all the polls and Kenjon Barner headed home. ... Cal: Grading the Bears' win and assessing their bowl chances. ... Stanford: Examining the Cardinal's BCS chances. ... USC: The offense is fine. The defense? Not so much. ... UCLA: Painful is the only word to describe the defeat to Cal. ... Arizona State: Looking back at the Washington victory. .... Arizona: The Wildcats struggled to stop the OSU passing attack, which doesn't bode well for their trip to Pullman this week. And doesn't give them a lot of hope for the rest of the Pac-10 season.
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• That's all for this morning. We'll be back later tonight after the Cougars' evening practice. Until then ...
