1997 Washington State Cougars football team
American college football season
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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.
| 1997 Washington State Cougars football | |
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Pac-10 co-champion | |
| Conference | Pacific-10 Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 9 |
| AP | No. 9 |
| Record | 10–2 (7–1 Pac-10) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Jim McDonell (4th season) |
| Offensive scheme | Spread |
| Defensive coordinator | Bill Doba (4th season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Home stadium | Martin Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 9 Washington State + | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 UCLA + | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 14 Arizona State | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18 Washington | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USC | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | 3 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stanford | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon State | 0 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| W 63–37 | 35,739 | |
| October 25 | 12:30 pm | Arizona | No. 10 |
| 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 |
| W 77–7 | 32,345 | |
| November 15 | 2:00 pm | Stanford | No. 14 |
| 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 | |
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Rankings
Game summaries
UCLA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruins (0–0) | 7 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 34 |
| • Cougars (0–0) | 3 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 37 |
- Date: August 30, 1997
- Location: Martin Stadium
Pullman, WA - Game attendance: 26,000
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson (play-by-play), Bob Griese (analyst), and Lynn Swann (sideline)
| 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.[17]
At No. 23 USC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Cougars (1–0) | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
| No. 23 Trojans (1–0) | 0 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 21 |
- Date: September 13, 1997
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles, CA - Game start: 3:38 pm
- Elapsed time: 3:29
- Game attendance: 51,655
- Referee: Pat Flood
- Television network: FSN
| 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.[18][19]
At Illinois
| Team | 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
Boise State
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos (2–2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • No. 15 Cougars (3–0) | 14 | 17 | 17 | 10 | 58 |
- Date: September 27, 1997
- Location: Martin Stadium
Pullman, WA - Game attendance: 34,131
At Oregon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • No. 15 Cougars (4–0) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
| Ducks (3–1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
- Date: October 4, 1997
- Location: Autzen Stadium
Eugene, OR - Game start: 1:00 pm PDT
- Game attendance: 43,516
California
Arizona
At No. 20 Arizona State
| Team | 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 |
- Date: November 1, 1997
- Location: Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe, AZ - Game start: 8:00 pm PDT
- Game attendance: 73,644
- Television network: FSN
| 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.[24]
Southwestern Louisiana
Stanford
At No. 20 Washington
Vs. No. 1 Michigan (Rose Bowl)
(1998 Rose Bowl)
| Team | 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 |
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 1998
- Location: Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CA - Game attendance: 101,219
- Referee: Dick Burleson
- TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Bob Griese
| 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 | |
Roster
| 1997 Washington State Cougars football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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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.
| Player | Position | Round | Overall | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Leaf | QB | 1 | 2 | San Diego Chargers |
| Leon Bender | DT | 2 | 31 | Oakland Raiders |
| Dorian Boose | DT | 2 | 56 | New York Jets |
| Jason McEndoo | T | 7 | 197 | Seattle Seahawks |