Riley: No decision yet on starting QB for Alamo Bowl

CORVALLIS — Rudolf Fifita’s college football career is almost surely over, and the future of Oregon State teammates Mana Rosa and Dyllon Mafi uncertain following their arrest on assault and disorderly conduct charges early Sunday morning.

The three OSU defensive players were released from jail Monday morning after their 2:20 a.m. arrest at the Impulse Bar and Grill on Northwest Monroe Avenue.

Asked for his reaction Monday afternoon following Oregon State’s opening practice in preparation for the Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl matchup with Texas at San Antonio, Coach Mike Riley said, “It’s horrible.”

“They’re suspended from the team right now and probably will remain that way,” Riley said. “They’re not practicing right now, and I can’t see how that would change.

“Things are always about choices. Guys make their own beds. Not too much good happens at that time of day.”

OSU’s Jordan Poyer was arrested for second-degree trespassing at the same Corvallis nightclub in May. Charges were dismissed in July after the senior cornerback, named to several All-America teams this fall.

“My circumstances were a little bit different,” Poyer said Monday. “But they’re good friends, good teammates. They’re not those typical type of guys (who get in trouble). They’re good guys. I’m praying for them, and hopefully we’ll see them in a couple of days.”

If so, almost certainly not in football gear.

The suicide/homicide involving Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs and the death of the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Brown in the drunk-driving accident with teammate John Brent earlier this month were the latest in the series of off-field-related incidents nationally.

“If you look at the news, you’re not surprised by much of anything,” Riley said. “I’ve read a lot this last week about the Chiefs and the Cowboys. There are a lot of bad choices going on out there in this world, so why should we be immune to them?”

Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz shared quarterbacking duties with the first string Monday, and neither was declared the starter for the Alamo Bowl.

“I don’t have any news for you on that,” Riley told the media. “We’re just going to practice a little bit before we get too far into making any decisions about the quarterback.”

Backup receiver Richard Mullaney sat out Monday’s workout session with a shoulder injury.

“It’s something he can possibly play with, or maybe not,” Riley said. “He’ll meet with a doctor, and by (Tuesday) we should know.”