Washington State DT Roof kicked off team

From NCAA College Football Information & Resource

August 29, 2008

Washington State has dismissed senior defensive tackle Andy Roof from the football team four months after getting arrested in a fight.

Roof, who allegedly gave a man a head-butt at a party last April, got expelled from the university a year after he was kicked out of school for alcohol offenses. He was expected to see a lengthy playing time this season.

"Obviously he was in our rotation," head coach Paul Wulff said. "It's going to have an impact, no question. The team is already very thin in a lot of areas."

Wulff said that he was disappointed with the decision of the Student Conduct Board to expell Roof, saying that the senior-to-be has been a good influence ever since the mentor was hired back in December.

"From where he was a year ago, he has changed his life 180 degrees," Wulff said. "He's done everything we asked."

He added that he would be willing to recommend Roof to another program.

Upon his entry to the team as a freshman, Roof immediately earned playing minutes and eventually became a starter as a sophomore. He was suspended for one semester last season following a series of legal and personal troubles but was able to re-enroll at WSU and rejoin the football team in January.

He originally played as an offensive lineman for the Cougars, making five starts in the 18 games he played. He missed five games in 2006-07 with a broken thumb and later a heel injury. He was switched to the defensive line during the spring.

Inspite of Roof's absence, Wulff said that he is still confident that the experience of his defensive line can get them through the season. Fevaea'i Ahmu and Matt Eichelberger are listed at the starting defensive tackle position with Adam Hineline, Toby Turpin and Bernard Wolfgramm listed as reserves.

The Cougars will open the season Saturday against Oklahoma State, with WSU looking to extend its winning streak over the Cowboys after winning the only two other encounters back in 1951 and 1952.

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