American college football season
1997 Washington State Cougars football |
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Pac-10 co-champion |
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Conference | Pacific-10 Conference |
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Ranking |
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Coaches | No. 9 |
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AP | No. 9 |
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Record | 10–2 (7–1 Pac-10) |
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Head coach | |
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Offensive coordinator | Jim McDonell (4th season) |
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Offensive scheme | Spread |
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Defensive coordinator | Bill Doba (4th season) |
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Base defense | 4–3 |
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Home stadium | Martin Stadium |
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Seasons |
The 1997 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their ninth season under head coach Mike Price, the Cougars went 10–1 in the regular season (7–1 in Pac-10), won the conference championship,[1] lost to #1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl,[2][3][4] and outscored their opponents 483 to 296.[5][6] They played their home games on campus at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington, and were ninth in the final rankings.
The team's statistical leaders included Ryan Leaf with 3,968 passing yards, Michael Black with 1,181 rushing yards, and Chris Jackson with 1,005 receiving yards.[7] Freshman defensive back Lamont Thompson led the team with 6 interceptions.[8]
The Rose Bowl appearance was the first for Washington State in 67 years;[1][9] the next was five years later.[10][11]
Leaf decided to forgo his remaining season of eligibility (1998) and entered the 1998 NFL draft,[12][13] where he was the second overall selection.[14][15][16]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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August 30 | 12:30 pm | UCLA | | | ABC | W 37–34 | 26,000 |
September 13 | 3:30 pm | at No. 23 USC | | | FSN | W 28–21 | 51,655 |
September 20 | 9:30 am | at Illinois* | No. 19 | | ESPN2 | W 35–22 | 47,131 |
September 27 | 2:00 pm | Boise State* | No. 15 | - Martin Stadium
- Pullman, WA
| | W 58–0 | 34,131 |
October 4 | 1:00 pm | at Oregon | No. 15 | | | W 24–13 | 43,516 |
October 18 | 2:00 pm | California | No. 13 | - Martin Stadium
- Pullman, WA
| | W 63–37 | 35,739 |
October 25 | 12:30 pm | Arizona | No. 10 | - Martin Stadium
- Pullman, WA
| ABC | W 35–34 OT | 31,137 |
November 1 | 7:00 pm | at No. 20 Arizona State | No. 10 | | FSN | L 31–44 | 73,644 |
November 8 | 2:00 pm | Southwestern Louisiana* | No. 16 | - Martin Stadium
- Pullman, WA
| | W 77–7 | 32,345 |
November 15 | 2:00 pm | Stanford | No. 14 | - Martin Stadium
- Pullman, WA
| | W 38–28 | 40,306 |
November 22 | 12:30 pm | at No. 20 Washington | No. 11 | | ABC | W 41–35 | 74,268 |
January 1, 1998 | 2:00 pm | vs. No. 1 Michigan* | No. 8 | | ABC | L 16–21 | 101,219 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Pacific time
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Conference opponent not played this season: Oregon State
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Final |
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AP | — | — | — | — | 19 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
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Coaches Poll | — | — | — | — | 20 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
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Roster
1997 Washington State Cougars football team roster |
Players | Coaches |
Offense Pos. | # | Name | Class | QB | 13 | Steve Birnbaum | So | RB | 5 | Michael Black | Sr | RB | 24 | Jason Clayton | Jr | RB | 1 | DeJuan Gilmore | Jr | C | 62 | Lee Harrison | Sr | RB | 37 | Adam Hawkins | Fr | WR | 81 | Chris Jackson | Sr | TE | 20 | Love Jefferson | Jr | QB | 16 | Ryan Leaf | Jr | TE | 86 | Brenden Marshall | Jr | C | 76 | Jason McEndoo | Sr | WR | 9 | Kevin McKenzie | Sr | OT | 76 | Ryan McShane | Sr | WR | 45 | Shawn McWashington | Sr | OT | 79 | Rob Rainville | Jr | WR | 82 | Nian Taylor | So | G | 71 | Cory Withrow | Sr | WR | 8 | Shawn Tims | Sr | | Defense | Special teams | - Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
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[17][18]
Game summaries
UCLA
UCLA at Washington State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Bruins (0–0) | 7 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 34 | • Cougars (0–0) | 3 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 37 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | UCLA | Skip Hicks 2-yard run (Chris Sailer kick) | UCLA 7–0 | | WSU | Rian Lindell ?-yard field goal | UCLA 7–3 | | 2 | 14:43 | UCLA | Skip Hicks 9-yard run (Chris Sailer kick) | UCLA 14–3 | 11:07 | WSU | Michael Black 17-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) | UCLA 14–10 | 8:13 | WSU | Nian Talor 57-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick failed) | WSU 16–14 | 4:35 | WSU | Ryan Leaf 1-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 23–14 | 0:54 | WSU | Nian Talor 29-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick failed) | WSU 30–14 | | 3 | 12:50 | UCLA | Skip Hicks 2-yard run (kick failed) | WSU 30–21 | 11:51 | WSU | Chris Jackson 78-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 37–21 | 2:22 | UCLA | Danny Farmer 6-yard pass from Cade McNown (pass failed) | WSU 37–27 | | 4 | 14:13 | UCLA | Skip Hicks 4-yard run (Chris Sailer kick) | WSU 37–34 | |
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.[19]
At No. 23 USC
Washington State at USC | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Cougars (1–0) | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 | No. 23 Trojans (1–0) | 0 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 21 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 4:14 | WSU | McWashington 3-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 7–0 | | 2 | 13:27 | WSU | Michael Black 16-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 14–0 | 7:12 | USC | M. MacKenzie 1-yard run (Adam Abrams kick blocked) | WSU 14–6 | 0:50 | WSU | Love Jefferson 6-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 21–6 | | 3 | 14:44 | USC | R. Jay Soward 95-yard kickoff return (Adam Abrams kick) | WSU 21–13 | | 4 | 12:44 | USC | M. Bastianelli 15-yard pass from LaVale Woods (Billy Miller pass) | Tied 21–21 | 4:18 | WSU | Keven McKenzie 51-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 28–21 | |
Washington State defeated No. 23 USC in Los Angeles for the first time since 1957.[20][21]
At Illinois
Washington State at Illinois | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • No. 19 Cougars (2–0) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 35 | Fighting Illini (0–2) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 22 | - Date: September 20, 1997
- Location: Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL - Game start: 9:30 am PDT
- Game attendance: 47,131
- Television network: ESPN2
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[22]
Boise State
Boise State at Washington State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Broncos (2–2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | • No. 15 Cougars (3–0) | 14 | 17 | 17 | 10 | 58 | |
[23]
At Oregon
Washington State at Oregon | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • No. 15 Cougars (4–0) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 | Ducks (3–1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 | |
California
[24]
Arizona
[25]
At No. 20 Arizona State
Washington State at Arizona State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | No. 10 Cougars (7–0) | 0 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 31 | • No. 20 Sun Devils (5–2) | 7 | 17 | 0 | 20 | 44 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | ASU | Lenzie Jackson 13-yard pass from Ryan Kealy (Nycz kick) | ASU 7–0 | | 2 | | ASU | Kenny Mitchell 8-yard pass from Ryan Kealy (Nycz kick) | ASU 14–0 | | ASU | Nycz FG | ASU 17–0 | 7:43 | ASU | TD pass from Ryan Kealy (Nycz kick) | ASU 24–0 | | WSU | TD pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | ASU 24–7 | | 3 | | ASU | Rian Lindell 43-yard field goal | ASU 24–10 | 1:17 | WSU | DeJuan Gilmore 2-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) | ASU 24–17 | | 4 | 13:18 | WSU | Shawn McWashington 11-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Ryan Leaf run) | WSU 25–24 | 9:57 | ASU | Tariq McDonald 5-yard pass from Ryan Kealy (conversion failed) | ASU 30–25 | 2:55 | ASU | Hamilton Mee 66-yard fumble return (Nycz kick) | ASU 37–25 | 2:32 | ASU | Derrick Ford fumble recovery in end zone (Nycz kick) | ASU 44–25 | | WSU | TD pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | ASU 44–31 | |
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.[26]
Southwestern Louisiana
[27]
Stanford
[28]
At No. 20 Washington
[29]
Vs. No. 1 Michigan (Rose Bowl)
Washington State vs. Michigan
(1998 Rose Bowl) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | No. 8 Cougars (10–1) | 7 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 16 | • No. 1 Wolverines (11–0) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 3:17 | WSU | Kevin McKenzie 15-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) | WSU 7–0 | | 2 | 7:08 | MICH | Tai Streets 53-yard pass from Brian Griese (Jay Feely kick) | Tied 7–7 | | 3 | 8:23 | WSU | Shawn Tims 14-yard run (kick failed) | WSU 13–7 | 5:07 | MICH | Tai Streets 58-yard pass from Brian Griese (Kraig Baker kick) | MICH 14–13 | | 4 | 11:21 | MICH | Jerame Tuman 23-yard pass from Brian Griese (Kraig Baker kick) | MICH 21–13 | 7:25 | WSU | Rian Lindell 48-yard field goal | MICH 21–16 | |
[30]
Awards and honors
NFL Draft
Four Cougars were selected in the 1998 NFL Draft; quarterback Ryan Leaf was taken second overall.
[14][16][31]
References
- ^ a b de Leon, Virginia; Sorensen, Eric (November 23, 1997). "A Wazzu bouquet". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. A1.
- ^ Grummert, Dale (January 2, 1998). "Cougs fall one miracle short". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
- ^ Kearney, Trevor (January 2, 1998). "A Rose to remember". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). p. 1B.
- ^ Rosenblatt, Richard (January 2, 1998). "Michigan's No. 1 bid blooms". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. p. 1C.
- ^ "1997 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "2016 Media Guide" (PDF). WSUCougars.com. Washington State Cougars Athletics. p. 77. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "1997 Washington State Cougars Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "1997 Washington State Cougars Stats".
- ^ Grummert, Dale (January 1, 1998). "Moment of truth". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1B.
- ^ Richardson, Vince (January 1, 2003). "The game has arrived". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). p. 1B.
- ^ Grummert, Dale (January 2, 2003). "A thorny sendoff". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1B.
- ^ Grummert, Dale (January 3, 1998). "Change of venue". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1B.
- ^ Bruscas, Angelo (January 3, 1998). "Cougars' Leaf bound for NFL". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). p. 3D.
- ^ a b "Manning No. 1, Leaf gladly No. 2". Lewiston Morning Tribune. staff and wire reports. April 19, 1998. p. 1B.
- ^ "Indianapolis snaps up Manning at No. 1". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. April 19, 1998. p. 1G.
- ^ a b Jewell, Mark (April 20, 1998). "Draft goes over well in Pullman". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). Associated Press. p. 1C.
- ^ "Oregon Outlook". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). October 4, 1997. p. 4D.
- ^ "Stanford at WSU: stat leaders". Lewiston Morning Tribune. November 15, 1997. p. 4B.
- ^ "No More Please, Bruins Stuffed". The Los Angeles Times. August 31, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "It Was a History-Making Event for Cougars". The Los Angeles Times. September 14, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "The Catch. The Block. Vanquishing History". WSU Athletics. September 1, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "Cougs Wake Up In Time Illinois Can't Capitalize On WSU's Sloppy Play". The Spokesman-Review. September 21, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Cougs Win, No Sweat Unbeaten WSU Outmuscles Boise State". The Spokesman-Review. September 28, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Cougars Get It Done Quickly". The Los Angeles Times. October 19, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Wildcats Go for Broke, Fall Short". The Los Angeles Times. October 26, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Sun Devils Turn Over a Leaf in Pac-10". The Los Angeles Times. November 2, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Washington St. Rights Itself With 77-7 Win". The Los Angeles Times. November 9, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Washington St. Still Standing". The Los Angeles Times. November 16, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "Leaf Has Turned in Washington". The Los Angeles Times. November 23, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "'Mistake' Costs WSU Final Play". The Washington Post. January 2, 1998. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "1998 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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Pacific Coast | |
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AAWU | |
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Pacific-8 | |
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Pacific-10 | |
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Pac-12 | |
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National championships in bold |