1997 Washington State Cougars football team

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
Pac-10 co-champion
Rose Bowl, L 16–21 vs. Michigan
Conference	Pacific-10 Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 9
AP	No. 9
Record	10–2 (7–1 Pac-10)
Head coach	Mike Price (9th season)
Offensive coordinator	Jim McDonell (4th season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Bill Doba (4th season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Martin Stadium
Seasons ← 1996 1998 →

1997 Pacific-10 Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
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
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

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		Martin Stadium Pullman, WA	ABC	W 37–34	26,000
September 13	3:30 pm	at No. 23 USC		Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	FSN	W 28–21	51,655
September 20	9:30 am	at Illinois*	No. 19	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	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	Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR		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	Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ	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	Husky Stadium Seattle, WA (Apple Cup)	ABC	W 41–35	74,268
January 1, 1998	2:00 pm	vs. No. 1 Michigan*	No. 8	Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl)	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

Rankings

See also: 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	19	15	15	12	13	10	10	16	14	11	10	8	8	9
Coaches Poll	—	—	—	—	20	14	15	12	13	10	10	15	13	11	10	7	7	9

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 Pos. # Name Class DT 91 Leon Bender Sr DE 90 Dorian Boose Sr DE 46 Shane Doyle Sr CB 3 LeJuan Gibbons So LB 34 Steve Gleason So DB 29 Torry Hollimon So DT 95 Gary Holmes Jr DB 28 Jermaine Hunsaker Fr FS 2 Ray Jackson Sr LB 22 Brandon Moore Sr CB 6 Dee Moronkola Jr LB 43 Todd Nelson Jr SS 25 Duane Stewart Sr DB 19 Lamont Thompson Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class P 12 Jeff Banks Sr K 21 Rian Lindell So	Head coach Mike Price (9th year) Coordinators/assistant coaches Jim McDonell – OC Bill Doba – DC Larry Lewis – AHC, ST Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

^[17][18]

Game summaries

UCLA

See also: 1997 UCLA Bruins football team

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 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)

Scoring summary 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

See also: 1997 USC Trojans football team

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 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

Scoring summary 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

See also: 1997 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

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

^[22]

Boise State

See also: 1997 Boise State Broncos football team

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 Date: September 27, 1997 Location: Martin Stadium Pullman, WA Game attendance: 34,131

^[23]

At Oregon

See also: 1997 Oregon Ducks football team

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 Date: October 4, 1997 Location: Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR Game start: 1:00 pm PDT Game attendance: 43,516

California

See also: 1997 California Golden Bears football team

^[24]

Arizona

See also: 1997 Arizona Wildcats football team

^[25]

At No. 20 Arizona State

See also: 1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

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 Date: November 1, 1997 Location: Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Game start: 8:00 pm PDT Game attendance: 73,644 Television network: FSN

Scoring summary 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

See also: 1997 Southwestern Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

^[27]

Stanford

See also: 1997 Stanford Cardinal football team

^[28]

At No. 20 Washington

See also: 1997 Washington Huskies football team

^[29]

Vs. No. 1 Michigan (Rose Bowl)

Main article: 1998 Rose Bowl

See also: 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team

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 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

Scoring summary 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

• 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

^[14][16][31]

References

1. de Leon, Virginia; Sorensen, Eric (November 23, 1997). "A Wazzu bouquet". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. A1.
2. Grummert, Dale (January 2, 1998). "Cougs fall one miracle short". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
3. Kearney, Trevor (January 2, 1998). "A Rose to remember". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). p. 1B.
4. Rosenblatt, Richard (January 2, 1998). "Michigan's No. 1 bid blooms". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. p. 1C.
5. "1997 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
6. "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.
7. "1997 Washington State Cougars Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
8. "1997 Washington State Cougars Stats".
9. Grummert, Dale (January 1, 1998). "Moment of truth". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1B.
10. Richardson, Vince (January 1, 2003). "The game has arrived". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). p. 1B.
11. Grummert, Dale (January 2, 2003). "A thorny sendoff". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1B.
12. Grummert, Dale (January 3, 1998). "Change of venue". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1B.
13. Bruscas, Angelo (January 3, 1998). "Cougars' Leaf bound for NFL". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). p. 3D.
14. "Manning No. 1, Leaf gladly No. 2". Lewiston Morning Tribune. staff and wire reports. April 19, 1998. p. 1B.
15. "Indianapolis snaps up Manning at No. 1". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. April 19, 1998. p. 1G.
16. Jewell, Mark (April 20, 1998). "Draft goes over well in Pullman". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). Associated Press. p. 1C.
17. "Oregon Outlook". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). October 4, 1997. p. 4D.
18. "Stanford at WSU: stat leaders". Lewiston Morning Tribune. November 15, 1997. p. 4B.
19. "No More Please, Bruins Stuffed". The Los Angeles Times. August 31, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
20. "It Was a History-Making Event for Cougars". The Los Angeles Times. September 14, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
21. "The Catch. The Block. Vanquishing History". WSU Athletics. September 1, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
22. "Cougs Wake Up In Time Illinois Can't Capitalize On WSU's Sloppy Play". The Spokesman-Review. September 21, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
23. "Cougs Win, No Sweat Unbeaten WSU Outmuscles Boise State". The Spokesman-Review. September 28, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
24. "Cougars Get It Done Quickly". The Los Angeles Times. October 19, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
25. "Wildcats Go for Broke, Fall Short". The Los Angeles Times. October 26, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
26. "Sun Devils Turn Over a Leaf in Pac-10". The Los Angeles Times. November 2, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
27. "Washington St. Rights Itself With 77-7 Win". The Los Angeles Times. November 9, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
28. "Washington St. Still Standing". The Los Angeles Times. November 16, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
29. "Leaf Has Turned in Washington". The Los Angeles Times. November 23, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
30. "'Mistake' Costs WSU Final Play". The Washington Post. January 2, 1998. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
31. "1998 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.