PULLMAN ? Washington State has lost one of its best defensive linemen less than a week before its opener.
Sophomore defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua suffered a broken leg during Thursday's practice and underwent surgery yesterday morning.
Trainer Bill Drake said Pitoitua (pronounced "Pitoy-too-uh") will be out 6-8 weeks. He broke his right fibula, a non-weight-bearing bone.
Coach Bill Doba said he expects either senior Bryan Olson or true freshman Fevaea'i Ahmu (pronounced "Ah-ee-Ah-moo") to move into the starting lineup for Thursday night's game against Idaho next to redshirt sophomore Aaron Johnson.
Other tackles now expected to get more work with Pitoitua sidelined include junior Odell Howard and redshirt freshman Matt Eichelberger.
Pitoitua, 6 feet 8, 300 pounds, was going to be held out of the starting lineup against Idaho because of two incidents involving alcohol last school year. He was going to play, though.
Pitoitua was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol in April. In May, he was arrested for being a minor operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol.
Pitoitua started four games and played in eight last season. He missed three games with a high left ankle sprain suffered in the Game 2 loss to Colorado.
Pitoitua didn't play football at Clover Park High School outside Tacoma until his junior year. He delayed enrolling at WSU until January 2004, and then turned out to be one of the biggest surprises in spring and fall camp.
Sophomore defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua suffered a broken leg during Thursday's practice and underwent surgery yesterday morning.
Trainer Bill Drake said Pitoitua (pronounced "Pitoy-too-uh") will be out 6-8 weeks. He broke his right fibula, a non-weight-bearing bone.
Coach Bill Doba said he expects either senior Bryan Olson or true freshman Fevaea'i Ahmu (pronounced "Ah-ee-Ah-moo") to move into the starting lineup for Thursday night's game against Idaho next to redshirt sophomore Aaron Johnson.
Other tackles now expected to get more work with Pitoitua sidelined include junior Odell Howard and redshirt freshman Matt Eichelberger.
Pitoitua, 6 feet 8, 300 pounds, was going to be held out of the starting lineup against Idaho because of two incidents involving alcohol last school year. He was going to play, though.
Pitoitua was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol in April. In May, he was arrested for being a minor operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol.
Pitoitua started four games and played in eight last season. He missed three games with a high left ankle sprain suffered in the Game 2 loss to Colorado.
Pitoitua didn't play football at Clover Park High School outside Tacoma until his junior year. He delayed enrolling at WSU until January 2004, and then turned out to be one of the biggest surprises in spring and fall camp.
