Woodinville grad gets back on field as a Cougar QB

PULLMAN — Peter Roberts tried going to class Tuesday, but the freshman from Woodinville High School was interrupted by his vibrating cellphone.

About 250 times. News apparently travels fast.

"I was trying to listen to the math questions," he said. "But my phone was just buzzing all day."

Roberts, a three-year letter winner at Woodinville High, was selected as WSU's new scout-team quarterback Tuesday morning. He beat out 28 other at-large students in Monday's all-campus quarterback tryout.

Coach Paul Wulff said the fact that Roberts had "played in a system recently" similar to WSU's helped solidify Roberts' selection. The other finalists were all juniors and seniors.

"I wanted to do this because I didn't decide to go play football after high school, and this is a chance for me to put those pads back on," he said. "I mean, ever since that last football game I've missed it like crazy. So, that was the biggest drive for me — to get a second chance to get back out here and keep playing."

Roberts was late for his first practice, but Wulff excused his tardiness.

"We were still getting him his gear," Wulff said.

Roberts showed up in the hallway outside Wulff's office at 9 a.m. and saw his name posted on the office window. A few coaches were standing there waiting for him.

"I just looked at them and said, 'No way,' " he said.

Roberts led Woodinville to the state-championship game against Skyline in 2007. As a senior, he completed 128 of 230 passes for 1,571 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a second-team All-KingCo player.

"The concept and drill types are the same, but it's twice as fast and there's way more people looking at you," Roberts said. "You've got to perform 110 percent every single play. The pressure is just enormous."

Notes

• QB Kevin Lopina threw at practice, but will be held from any contact for some time. Wulff said the team is still waiting for the results of a recent MRI. Lopina could return as early as next week, but most likely will be held out two more weeks.

Wulff said he wasn't sure if he would resume his role as starter or if Marshall Lobbestael would remain.

"We'll wait and see on that," he said. "I'm not sure how that will unfold."

• Running back Chris Ivory (hamstring) did not practice, and Wulff said he was out for Saturday's game at Oregon State. Steven Ayers, unable to practice because of a concussion and neck soreness, is questionable.

• Backup center Chris Prummer injured his left knee during practice and returned with it wrapped in ice. The injury did not appear serious.

• Cornerbacks Tyron Justin and Markus Dawes returned to practice and are expected to play Saturday.

• For the first time this season, the Cougars practiced in their indoor practice bubble because of rain and wind in Pullman.

• Hall of Fame defensive tackle "Mean" Joe Greene spent the day watching film in the WSU football offices and watched practice. He was on a scouting trip for the Pittsburgh Steelers.