1997 Washington State Cougars football team

Schedule

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Rankings

Game summaries

UCLA

Pullman, WA

UCLA took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter, but Washington State exploded for 27 unanswered points to end the half. The Cougars led by as many as 16 on two occasions, but clung to just a 3-point lead late in the game. UCLA had a 4th and goal from the one-yard line with 2:50 remaining, but the Cougars stood tall to emerge victorious.

At No. 23 USC

Los Angeles, CA

Washington State defeated No. 23 USC in Los Angeles for the first time since 1957.

At Illinois

Champaign, IL

Boise State

Pullman, WA

At Oregon

Eugene, OR

California

Arizona

At No. 20 Arizona State

Tempe, AZ

After trailing 24–0 midway through the second quarter, Washington State rallied to take a 25–24 lead early in the fourth quarter. After Arizona State answered with a touchdown, the Cougars were driving again. However, the Cougars were doomed by two late fumbles that were both returned for touchdowns.

Southwestern Louisiana

Stanford

At No. 20 Washington

Vs. No. 1 Michigan (Rose Bowl)

Main article: 1998 Rose Bowl

(1998 Rose Bowl) Pasadena, CA

Roster

• Jim McDonell – OC
• Bill Doba – DC
• Larry Lewis – AHC, ST

Awards and honors

• Ryan Leaf – Sammy Baugh Trophy, Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, All-American, Third in Heisman Trophy voting
• Leon Bender – All-American
• Mike Price – Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year, Pac-10 Coach of the Year

NFL draft

Four Cougars were selected in the 1998 NFL draft; quarterback Ryan Leaf was taken second overall.

References

References

1. (November 23, 1997). "A Wazzu bouquet". Spokesman-Review.
2. Grummert, Dale. (January 2, 1998). "Cougs fall one miracle short". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
3. Kearney, Trevor. (January 2, 1998). "A Rose to remember". Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
4. Rosenblatt, Richard. (January 2, 1998). "Michigan's No. 1 bid blooms". Eugene Register-Guard.
5. "1997 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC.
6. "2016 Media Guide". Washington State Cougars Athletics.
7. "1997 Washington State Cougars Stats". Sports Reference LLC.
8. "1997 Washington State Cougars Stats".
9. Grummert, Dale. (January 1, 1998). "Moment of truth". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
10. Richardson, Vince. (January 1, 2003). "The game has arrived". Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
11. Grummert, Dale. (January 2, 2003). "A thorny sendoff". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
12. Grummert, Dale. (January 3, 1998). "Change of venue". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
13. Bruscas, Angelo. (January 3, 1998). "Cougars' Leaf bound for NFL". Eugene Register-Guard.
14. (April 19, 1998). "Manning No. 1, Leaf gladly No. 2". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
15. (April 19, 1998). "Indianapolis snaps up Manning at No. 1". Eugene Register-Guard.
16. Jewell, Mark. (April 20, 1998). "Draft goes over well in Pullman". Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
17. (August 31, 1997). "No More Please, Bruins Stuffed". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
18. (September 14, 1997). "It Was a History-Making Event for Cougars". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
19. (September 1, 2013). "The Catch. The Block. Vanquishing History.". [[Washington State Cougars.
20. (September 21, 1997). "Cougs Wake Up In Time Illinois Can't Capitalize On WSU's Sloppy Play". [[The Spokesman-Review]].
21. (September 28, 1997). "Cougs Win, No Sweat Unbeaten WSU Outmuscles Boise State". [[The Spokesman-Review]].
22. (October 19, 1997). "Cougars Get It Done Quickly". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
23. (October 26, 1997). "Wildcats Go for Broke, Fall Short". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
24. (November 2, 1997). "Sun Devils Turn Over a Leaf in Pac-10". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
25. (November 9, 1997). "Washington St. Rights Itself With 77-7 Win". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
26. (November 16, 1997). "Washington St. Still Standing". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
27. (November 23, 1997). "Leaf Has Turned in Washington". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
28. (January 2, 1998). "'Mistake' Costs WSU Final Play". [[The Washington Post]].
29. (October 4, 1997). "Oregon Outlook". Eugene Register-Guard.
30. (November 15, 1997). "Stanford at WSU: stat leaders". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
31. "1998 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com".