Wayward Coug will go to jail

PULLMAN — Ropati Pitoitua, a 20-year-old starting defensive tackle for Washington State, was sentenced to two days in jail Thursday after pleading guilty to operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol.

Pitoitua pleaded guilty to that charge in Whitman County District Court, receiving a 45-day term. A probation violation added 30 days to the jail time. The 75-day sentence had 73 days suspended, however, leading to the two-day term.

Pitoitua’s troubles this off-season began with a minor in possession citation in April, and the drunken driving arrest came less than two weeks later in the early hours of May 7. He was released from jail that morning after signing an agreement to appear in court two days later. But previously booked travel plans had him in Hawaii by then, so the missed court appearance resulted in the issue of an arrest warrant and a bond of $5,000.

Originally, Pitoitua was supposed to return from his trip last week but then changed his travel plans and returned more recently, going to court to resolve the situation.

The defensive tackle from Clover Park High School in Spanaway, Wash., requested to serve the sentence outside Whitman County and has 30 days to arrange that with his probation officer before beginning the jail term.

Pitoitua was also fined $750 and will be on probation for two years.

Pitoitua is the second Cougar football player to be given jail time this week. On Monday, running back Kevin McCall was sentenced to 45 days in jail after pleading guilty to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.

Pitoitua came to WSU in January 2004 and then played last season in eight games as a true freshman, missing three to injury. A starter from the first game of the season, he finished with 24 tackles and five sacks. At 6-foot-8, 300 pounds he still has room to grow and is expected to team with fellow sophomore Aaron Johnson as the anchor of the 2005 Cougar defensive front.