Off-season problems cost Pitoitua start in opener

PULLMAN – Head coach Bill Doba said defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua will not start the first game of the season against Idaho because of his off-season legal troubles.

Doba did not specify how long the sophomore will sit out in that game.

Pitoitua, a 6-foot-8, 300-pounder, who was a starter last season as a freshman, was cited in Pullman for possessing alcohol in April. Less than two weeks later, the 20-year-old was arrested for drunken driving.

Pitoitua missed a court date and ended up serving two days in jail.

Doba also further explained his decision to reinstate running back Kevin McCall, who reached a plea agreement of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and spent a month in jail.

“He was suspended from the team for five months,” Doba said. “He had 30 days in jail, $20,000 in legal fees for a misdemeanor. So I think he’s had enough punishment.”

Doba said McCall will return to the No. 2 spot he held on the depth chart before spring practices – which he missed while his legal issues were unresolved. Two freshmen, Dwight Tardy and DeMaundray Woolridge, are expected to challenge McCall for his spot backing up Jerome Harrison.

Late addition

The Cougars added one more scholarship player to the roster this week. Defensive end Lance Broadus, most recently a player at West Los Angeles JC, visited WSU on Thursday and signed a letter of intent immediately.

WSU got a jump on recruiting the Woodland, Calif., native, as most schools thought he would need one more year in junior college before being eligible. Broadus originally signed with Oregon out of high school, but did not qualify academically. He took part of the next year off before enrolling part-time at West L.A., then played one season for the junior college last year.

Broadus just finished his two-year degree, making him eligible to play right now as a sophomore. The 6-foot-2, 211-pound lineman will likely redshirt this season, and he’d still have three years to play after that.

“He’s a little undersized right now, but he’s got good speed, runs like a 4.5,” Doba said.

Switching sides

A teammate of Broadus at West L.A., newcomer Lorenzo Bursey is being tested at cornerback because of the Cougars’ depth issues there.

Bursey is one of the more athletic Cougar recruits, and Doba suggested if Bursey is not in line for significant playing time at cornerback he might move back to wide receiver so WSU can get him on the field. Bursey is also in the mix for kick-return duties this fall.

Notes

Defensive end Jason Roberts and defensive tackle Jon Conlin have both decided to leave the team. Roberts looked especially impressive in the spring and Doba said he’ll likely end up playing for another school at some point. … Wide receiver Greg Prator, who broke his hand off the field before camp, should be ready for the first game of the season. … Offensive lineman Dan Rowlands had gall bladder surgery and was not expected to arrive in Pullman until last night. … Three Cougar recruits weren’t able to suit up because of paperwork issues. Safety DeWayne Patterson and linebacker Greg Trent were both in street clothes as they waited for WSU admission and clearinghouse OKs, respectively. Doba said both could come through as soon as today. Defensive tackle Bryan Tarkington is still at home awaiting final word on his junior college paperwork as well. … Defensive end Reyshawn Bobo is academically ineligible this fall, making it three returning Cougars who won’t play because of grades. Bobo and cornerback Tyron Brackenridge can practice with the team but must redshirt, and offensive lineman Eddie Vickers is no longer enrolled at WSU. … Non-qualifying recruits James Bradley of Texas and Joseph Townsend of California might attempt to grayshirt and enroll in January, but Doba said it’s likely both will end up at a junior college. The same can be said for Nehemiah Mundy and Greg Walker, both late signees out of Los Angeles. … Number changes from 2004 to 2005: Omowale Dada was 32, is now 4. Benny Ward was 86, now 15. Paul Stevens was 54, now 33. Matt Eichelberger was 92, now 77. And Ian Bell was 29, now 32. … Athletic Director Jim Sterk said the season opener against Idaho should be on television, although the network may not be FSN. That game will start at either 7 or 7:30 p.m. Sterk also confirmed a 4 p.m. kickoff time for the Cougars’ game against Grambling State in Seattle on Sept. 17. … Doba’s son got married over the summer after proposing to his girlfriend while ice fishing, and the head coach had some words of wisdom: “I said to him, ‘If she didn’t throw that ring down the ice fishing hole, you got yourself a keeper right there.’ “