ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Washington State's Xavier Hicks Jr. celebrates after the Cougars defeated San Diego State 45-17 at Qwest Field on Saturday. The Cougars were led by senior quarterback Alex Brink, who passed for 469 yards and five touchdowns.

PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State football coach Paul Wulff has suspended jailed Cougars cornerback Xavier A. Hicks Jr. for three games next season.

Spokesman Bill Stevens says Wulff decided on the punishment after consulting with a conduct council of players and coaches.

The 21-year-old defensive back from Fullerton, Calif., is serving a 45-day sentence in the Whitman County Jail after pleading guilty to third-degree theft and third-degree attempted assault.

Hicks was accused of putting rubbing alcohol in the contact lens case of former teammate and roommate Grady Maxwell in a payment dispute and of using a stolen credit card.

Stevens says Hicks, a redshirt junior with three starts last season, will miss the Aug. 30 opener in Seattle against Oklahoma State and games Sept. 6 against California and Sept. 13 at Baylor.