Cougars’ Rogers out for season with spine fracture

Published 10:20 pm Saturday, September 20, 2008

PULLMAN — Washington State senior quarterback Gary Rogers was taken off the field by an ambulance after a late hit in the third quarter against Portland State on Saturday night.

Rogers, who played at Kamiak High School, suffered a “stable cervical spine fracture that is non surgical,” according to WSU assistant athletic director for athletic training Bill Drake. Rogers has been admitted to Pullman Memorial Hospital overnight for observation and will miss the remainder of the season. The expected recovery time is three to four months.

Rogers was struck in the helmet by a Portland State defender after he threw a pass with 11:09 left in the third. He complained of neck pain and was on the ground for about 15 minutes before he was put in the ambulance.

The hit by Aaron Dickson drew a roughing-the-passer penalty.

All the players from both teams went to the ambulance and stood as medical personnel worked on Rogers and prepared to place him on a stretcher. The crowd started chanting “Gary, Gary.”

Rogers, who began the season as the starter before being replaced by Kevin Lopina prior to the third game, had only entered the game late in the first half when Lopina suffered a shoulder injury.

Washington State was leading 24-3 at the time of the Rogers’ injury and went on to a 48-9 win.