1997 Washington State Cougars football team

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1997

| poll = AP

| timezone = Pacific

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = August 30

| time = 12:30 pm

| w/l = w

| opponent = UCLA

| site_stadium = Martin Stadium

| site_cityst = Pullman, WA

| tv = ABC

| score = 37–34

| attend = 26,000

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 13

| time = 3:30 pm

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = USC

| opprank = 23

| site_stadium = Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| tv = FSN

| score = 28–21

| attend = 51,655

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 20

| time = 9:30 am

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| rank = 19

| opponent = Illinois

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Champaign, IL

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 35–22

| attend = 47,131

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 27

| time = 2:00 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 15

| opponent = Boise State

| site_stadium = Martin Stadium

| site_cityst = Pullman, WA

| tv =

| score = 58–0

| attend = 34,131

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 4

| time = 1:00 pm

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 15

| opponent = Oregon

| site_stadium = Autzen Stadium

| site_cityst = Eugene, OR

| tv =

| score = 24–13

| attend = 43,516

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 18

| time = 2:00 pm

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| rank = 13

| opponent = California

| site_stadium = Martin Stadium

| site_cityst = Pullman, WA

| tv =

| score = 63–37

| attend = 35,739

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 25

| time = 12:30 pm

| w/l = w

| rank = 10

| opponent = Arizona

| site_stadium = Martin Stadium

| site_cityst = Pullman, WA

| tv = ABC

| score = 35–34

| overtime = OT

| attend = 31,137

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 1

| time = 7:00 pm

| w/l = l

| away = y

| rank = 10

| opponent = Arizona State

| opprank = 20

| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium

| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ

| tv = FSN

| score = 31–44

| attend = 73,644

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 8

| time = 2:00 pm

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 16

| opponent = Southwestern Louisiana

| site_stadium = Martin Stadium

| site_cityst = Pullman, WA

| tv =

| score = 77–7

| attend = 32,345

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 15

| time = 2:00 pm

| w/l = w

| rank = 14

| opponent = Stanford

| site_stadium = Martin Stadium

| site_cityst = Pullman, WA

| tv =

| score = 38–28

| attend = 40,306

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 22

| time = 12:30 pm

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 11

| opponent = Washington

| opprank = 20

| site_stadium = Husky Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| gamename = Apple Cup

| tv = ABC

| score = 41–35

| attend = 74,268

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{dow tooltip|January 1, 1998}}, 1998

| time = 2:00 pm

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Michigan

| opprank = 1

| site_stadium = Rose Bowl

| site_cityst = Pasadena, CA

| gamename = Rose Bowl

| tv = ABC

| score = 16–21

| attend = 101,219

}}

}}

{{See also|1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings}}

{{Ranking movements

| poll1title = AP

| poll1firstweek = 0

| poll1lastweek = 17

| poll1_0=NR

| poll1_1=NR

| poll1_2=NR

| poll1_3=NR

| poll1_4=19

| poll1_5=15

| poll1_6=15

| poll1_7=12

| poll1_8=13

| poll1_9=10

| poll1_10=10

| poll1_11=16

| poll1_12=14

| poll1_13=11

| poll1_14=10

| poll1_15=8

| poll1_16=8

| poll1_17=9

| poll2title = Coaches Poll

| poll2firstweek = 0

| poll2lastweek =17

| poll2_0=NR

| poll2_1=NR

| poll2_2=NR

| poll2_3=NR

| poll2_4=20

| poll2_5=14

| poll2_6=15

| poll2_7=12

| poll2_8=13

| poll2_9=10

| poll2_10=10

| poll2_11=15

| poll2_12=13

| poll2_13=11

| poll2_14=10

| poll2_15=7

| poll2_16=7

| poll2_17=9

}}

{{see also|1997 UCLA Bruins football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = UCLA at Washington State

| Visitor = Bruins (0–0)

| Host = Cougars (0–0)

| V1 = 7| V2 =7| V3 =13| V4 =7

| H1 = 3| H2 =27| H3 =7| H4 =0

| Date = August 30, 1997

| Location = Martin Stadium
Pullman, WA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 26,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

|TVAnnouncers=Keith Jackson (play-by-play), Bob Griese (analyst), and Lynn Swann (sideline)

|TVStation=ABC

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=2| Time= |Team=UCLA |Event=Skip Hicks 2-yard run (Chris Sailer kick) |Score=UCLA 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= |Team=WSU |Event=Rian Lindell ?-yard field goal |Score=UCLA 7–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=5 |Time=14:43 |Team=UCLA |Event=Skip Hicks 9-yard run (Chris Sailer kick) |Score=UCLA 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=11:07 |Team=WSU |Event=Michael Black 17-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=UCLA 14–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=8:13 |Team=WSU |Event=Nian Talor 57-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick failed) |Score=WSU 16–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=4:35 |Team=WSU |Event=Ryan Leaf 1-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=WSU 23–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=0:54 |Team=WSU |Event=Nian Talor 29-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick failed) |Score=WSU 30–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=12:50 |Team=UCLA |Event=Skip Hicks 2-yard run (kick failed) |Score=WSU 30–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=11:51 |Team=WSU |Event=Chris Jackson 78-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=WSU 37–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=2:22 |Team=UCLA |Event=Danny Farmer 6-yard pass from Cade McNown (pass failed) |Score=WSU 37–27}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time=14:13 |Team=UCLA |Event=Skip Hicks 4-yard run (Chris Sailer kick) |Score=WSU 37–34 |LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

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.{{cite news |title=No More Please, Bruins Stuffed |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-31-sp-27742-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=August 31, 1997 |access-date=September 24, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 USC Trojans football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Washington State at USC

| Visitor = Cougars (1–0)

| Host = No. 23 Trojans (1–0)

| V1 = 7| V2 =14| V3 =0| V4 =7

| H1 = 0| H2 =6| H3 =7| H4 =8

| Date = September 13, 1997

| Location = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles, CA

| StartTime = 3:38 pm

| ElapsedTime = 3:29

| Attendance = 51,655

| Weather =

| Referee = Pat Flood

| TVAnnouncers=

| TVStation=FSN

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |QuarterEntries=2| Time=4:14 |Team=WSU |Event=McWashington 3-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=WSU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=3 |Time=13:27 |Team=WSU |Event=Michael Black 16-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=WSU 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=7:12 |Team=USC |Event=M. MacKenzie 1-yard run (Adam Abrams kick blocked) |Score=WSU 14–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=0:50 |Team=WSU |Event=Love Jefferson 6-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=WSU 21–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time=14:44 |Team=USC |Event=R. Jay Soward 95-yard kickoff return (Adam Abrams kick) |Score=WSU 21–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=12:44 |Team=USC |Event=M. Bastianelli 15-yard pass from LaVale Woods (Billy Miller pass) |Score=Tied 21–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=4:18 |Team=WSU |Event=Keven McKenzie 51-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=WSU 28–21 |LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Washington State defeated No. 23 USC in Los Angeles for the first time since 1957.{{cite news |title=It Was a History-Making Event for Cougars |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-14-sp-32373-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=September 14, 1997 |access-date=September 24, 2022}}{{cite web |title=The Catch. The Block. Vanquishing History. |url=https://wsucougars.com/sports/2013/9/1/209248521.aspx |publisher=WSU Athletics |date=September 1, 2013 |access-date=September 24, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Illinois Fighting Illini football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Washington State at Illinois

| Visitor = No. 19 Cougars (2–0)

| Host = Fighting Illini (0–2)

| V1 = 7| V2 =0| V3 =7| V4 =21

| H1 = 0| H2 =7| H3 =7| H4 =8

| Date = September 20, 1997

| Location = Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL

| StartTime = 9:30 am

| TimeZone = PDT

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 47,131

| Weather =

| Referee =

| TVAnnouncers=

| TVStation=ESPN2

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{cite news |title=Cougs Wake Up In Time Illinois Can't Capitalize On WSU's Sloppy Play |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/sep/21/cougs-wake-up-in-time-illinois-cant-capitalize-on/ |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |date=September 21, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Boise State Broncos football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Boise State at Washington State

| Visitor = Broncos (2–2)

| Host = No. 15 Cougars (3–0)

| V1 = 0| V2 =0| V3 =0| V4 =0

| H1 = 14| H2 =17| H3 =17| H4 =10

| Date = September 27, 1997

| Location = Martin Stadium
Pullman, WA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 34,131

| Weather =

| Referee =

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{cite news |title=Cougs Win, No Sweat Unbeaten WSU Outmuscles Boise State |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/sep/28/cougs-win-no-sweat-unbeaten-wsu-outmuscles-boise/ |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |date=September 28, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Oregon Ducks football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Washington State at Oregon

| Visitor = No. 15 Cougars (4–0)

| Host = Ducks (3–1)

| V1 = 7| V2 =7| V3 =7| V4 =3

| H1 = 0| H2 =3| H3 =0| H4 =10

| Date = October 4, 1997

| Location = Autzen Stadium
Eugene, OR

| StartTime = 1:00 pm

| TimeZone = PDT

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 43,516

| Weather =

| Referee =

| TVAnnouncers=

| TVStation=

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 California Golden Bears football team}}

{{cite news |title=Cougars Get It Done Quickly |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-19-sp-44596-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=October 19, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Arizona Wildcats football team}}

{{cite news |title=Wildcats Go for Broke, Fall Short |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-26-sp-47037-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=October 26, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Washington State at Arizona State

| Visitor = No. 10 Cougars (7–0)

| Host = No. 20 Sun Devils (5–2)

| V1 = 0| V2 =7| V3 =10| V4 =14

| H1 = 7| H2 =17| H3 =0| H4 =20

| Date = November 1, 1997

| Location = Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe, AZ

| StartTime = 8:00 pm

| TimeZone = PDT

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 73,644

| Weather =

| Referee =

| TVAnnouncers=

| TVStation=FSN

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 | Time= |Team=ASU |Event=Lenzie Jackson 13-yard pass from Ryan Kealy (Nycz kick) |Score=ASU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |QuarterEntries=4 |Time= |Team=ASU |Event=Kenny Mitchell 8-yard pass from Ryan Kealy (Nycz kick) |Score=ASU 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= |Team=ASU |Event=Nycz FG |Score=ASU 17–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=7:43 |Team=ASU |Event=TD pass from Ryan Kealy (Nycz kick) |Score=ASU 24–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= |Team=WSU |Event=TD pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=ASU 24–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time= |Team=ASU |Event=Rian Lindell 43-yard field goal |Score=ASU 24–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=1:17 |Team=WSU |Event=DeJuan Gilmore 2-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=ASU 24–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=5 |Time=13:18 |Team=WSU |Event=Shawn McWashington 11-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Ryan Leaf run) |Score=WSU 25–24}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=9:57 |Team=ASU |Event=Tariq McDonald 5-yard pass from Ryan Kealy (conversion failed) |Score=ASU 30–25}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=2:55 |Team=ASU |Event=Hamilton Mee 66-yard fumble return (Nycz kick) |Score=ASU 37–25}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=2:32 |Team=ASU |Event=Derrick Ford fumble recovery in end zone (Nycz kick) |Score=ASU 44–25}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= |Team=WSU |Event=TD pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score=ASU 44–31 |LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

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.{{cite news |title=Sun Devils Turn Over a Leaf in Pac-10 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-02-sp-49612-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 2, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Southwestern Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team}}

{{cite news |title=Washington St. Rights Itself With 77-7 Win |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-09-sp-52113-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 9, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Stanford Cardinal football team}}

{{cite news |title=Washington St. Still Standing |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-16-sp-54562-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 16, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{see also|1997 Washington Huskies football team}}

{{cite news |title=Leaf Has Turned in Washington |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-23-sp-56900-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 23, 1997 |access-date=September 24, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{main|1998 Rose Bowl}}

{{see also|1997 Michigan Wolverines football team}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Washington State vs. Michigan
(1998 Rose Bowl)

| Visitor = No. 8 Cougars (10–1)

| Host = No. 1 Wolverines (11–0)

| V1 = 7| V2 =0| V3 =6| V4 =3

| H1 = 0| H2 =7| H3 =7| H4 =7

| Date = Thursday, January 1, 1998

| Location = Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 101,219

| Weather =

| Referee = Dick Burleson

|TVAnnouncers=Keith Jackson and Bob Griese

|TVStation=ABC

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter= 1|Time=3:17 |Team=WSU |Event=Kevin McKenzie 15-yard pass from Ryan Leaf (Rian Lindell kick) |Score= WSU 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time=7:08 |Team=MICH |Event=Tai Streets 53-yard pass from Brian Griese (Jay Feely kick) |Score= Tied 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=8:23 |Team=WSU |Event=Shawn Tims 14-yard run (kick failed) |Score= WSU 13–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time=5:07 |Team=MICH |Event=Tai Streets 58-yard pass from Brian Griese (Kraig Baker kick) |Score= MICH 14–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |QuarterEntries=2 |Time=11:21 |Team=MICH |Event=Jerame Tuman 23-yard pass from Brian Griese (Kraig Baker kick) |Score= MICH 21–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Time= 7:25|Team=WSU |Event=Rian Lindell 48-yard field goal |Score=MICH 21–16 |LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{cite news |title='Mistake' Costs WSU Final Play |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/01/02/mistake-costs-wsu-final-play/dcf0e5e0-2fc1-4b7f-8341-65520f7b2b8b/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 2, 1998 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}

{{Clear}}

{{American football roster/Header

| year = 1997

| team = Washington State Cougars

| teamcolors = y

| offensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=So|first=Steve|last=Birnbaum|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=Sr|first=Michael|last=Black|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=Jr|first=Jason|last=Clayton|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=1|class=Jr|first=DeJuan|last=Gilmore|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=Sr|first=Lee|last=Harrison|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Fr|first=Adam|last=Hawkins|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=81|class=Sr|first=Chris|last=Jackson|dab=Chris Jackson (wide receiver)|pos=WR|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=Jr|first=Love|last=Jefferson|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=16|class=Jr|first=Ryan|last=Leaf|pos=QB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=Jr|first=Brenden|last=Marshall|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=76|class=Sr|first=Jason|last=McEndoo|pos=C|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=Sr|first=Kevin|last=McKenzie|pos=WR|link=y|dab=Kevin McKenzie (American football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=76|class=Sr|first=Ryan|last=McShane|pos=T}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=45|class=Sr|first=Shawn|last=McWashington|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=79|class=Jr|first=Rob|last=Rainville|pos=T}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=82|class=So|first=Nian|last=Taylor|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=71|class=Sr|first=Cory|last=Withrow|pos=G|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=8|class=Sr|first=Shawn|last=Tims|pos=WR}}

| defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=91|class=Sr|first=Leon|last=Bender|pos=DT|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Sr|first=Dorian|last=Boose|pos=DE|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=46|class=Sr|first=Shane|last=Doyle|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=So|first=LeJuan|last=Gibbons|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=So|first=Steve|last=Gleason|pos=LB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=So|first=Torry|last=Hollimon|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=95|class=Jr|first=Gary|last=Holmes|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=28|class=Fr|first=Jermaine|last=Hunsaker|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=2|class=Sr|first=Ray|last=Jackson|pos=FS}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=22|class=Sr|first=Brandon|last=Moore|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=6|class=Jr|first=Dee|last=Moronkola|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Jr|first=Todd|last=Nelson|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=Sr|first=Duane|last=Stewart|pos=SS}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=Fr|first=Lamont|last=Thompson|pos=DB|link=y}}

| special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=Sr|first=Jeff|last=Banks|pos=P|dab=Jeff Banks (American football)|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=So|first=Rian|last=Lindell|pos=K|link=y}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer

| head_coach = *Mike Price (9th year)

| asst_coach =

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

| accessdate=

}}

{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WNZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6233%2C949047|work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |title=Oregon Outlook |date=October 4, 1997 |page=4D}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=grZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5773%2C4104109 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |title=Stanford at WSU: stat leaders |date=November 15, 1997 |page=4B}}

• 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

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

{{cite web| url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1998.htm| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071221030108/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1998.htm| archive-date = 2007-12-21| title = 1998 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com| website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Washington State Cougars football navbox}}

{{Pac-12 Conference football champions}}

Washington State

Category:Washington State Cougars football seasons

Category:Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons

Washington State Cougars football