Quarterback Peter Lalich (pronounced lah-LICK), who was dismissed from
the University of Virginia's football team a week ago for underage drinking,
will enroll at Oregon State and start classes Monday. He will sit out the '08 season due to NCAA transfer rules and have 3-to-play-3 starting next season in Corvallis.
Lalich started two games for UV in 2008 completing 39 of 74 (52%) for 359 yards,
zero touchdowns and three interceptions. In his first career start against USC
this year he completed 18 of 35 passes for 155 yards and one interception.
The official University of Virginia website calls Lalich, "a poised and
accurate passer in the pocket."
Last season the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder became the first true freshman in Virginia
history to play since 1997. He played in the first four games of the year and
then in four of the last nine completing 35 of 61 (57%) attempts for 321 yards,
two touchdowns and one interception.
His 61 attempts and 35 completions are both second in school history by a true
freshman while his 321 yards in third.
Lalich, who watched OSU's practice Monday, also considered UCLA and Cincinnati
before deciding on Oregon State.
According to published reports out of Virginia, in a recent court appearance this month he admitted to drinking alcohol during
his one-year probation. The judge did not revoke Lalich's probation, which expires
in July.
As a senior at West Springfield High he completed 208 of 307 passes for 3,134
yards and 33 touchdowns in route to earning second team all-state honors. In
one game he threw eight touchdown passes, the second highest total in state
history.
Following his senior year he was named a PrepStar All-American, a four star
recruit by Scout.com and one of the top two recruits in the state of Virginia
by several publications. He signed with Virginia over offers from Michigan, Miami, UCLA and others.
He is named after basketball standout Pete Maravich and his father played basketball
at Florida and Ohio.
Lalich must complete one academic year of residence, excluding summer terms,
at Oregon State before becoming eligible for competition.
NOTABLE:
DE Carl Sommer has left the program of his own accord and OL Una Smiley has been removed from the team for an unspecified violation of team policy, The Gazette Times reported.