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American college football season
The 1979 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their second season under head coach Jim Walden , the Cougars compiled a 3–8 record (2–6 in Pac-10, ninth), and were outscored 366 to 241.[2] [3]
The team's statistical leaders included Steve Grant with 1,565 passing yards, Tali Ena with 844 rushing yards, and Jim Whatley with 513 receiving yards.[4]
Martin Stadium 's seating capacity was increased over the summer (track removed, field lowered) and hosted its first game of the season in mid-October for homecoming .[5] [6] The 17–14 upset of UCLA was the Cougars' first win over the Bruins since 1958 .[7] [8]
The traditional Battle of the Palouse game with neighbor Idaho went on hiatus beginning with this season (the Vandals had moved down to Division I-AA in 1978 );[9] it was played in 1982 and 1989 . When Idaho rejoined Division I-A, there was a ten-year resumption (1998 –2007 ).
Schedule
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance September 8 Arizona L 7–22 26,753
September 15 Montana * Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA W 34–14 20,157
September 22 at No. 16 Ohio State * L 29–45 87,495
September 29 at Syracuse * L 25–52 10,004
October 6 at No. 1 USC L 21–50 55,117
October 13 UCLA W 17–14 32,651
October 20 at Arizona State W 17–28 (forfeit win) 70,729
October 27 Oregon Martin Stadium Pullman, WA W 26–37 (forfeit win) 18,650
November 3 at Oregon State W 45–42 21,500
November 10 California Martin Stadium Pullman, WA L 13–45 22,055
November 17 at No. 16 Washington L 7–17 57,750
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Roster
1979 Washington State Cougars football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
TE
89
Pat Beach
So
RB
39
Tali Ena
Sr
QB
18
Steve Grant
Sr
RB
43
Tim Harris
Fr
OT
75
Steve Johnson
Jr
OT
72
Allan Kennedy
Jr
SE
49
Bevan Maxey
Sr
G
63
Gary Patrick
Fr
C
52
Scott Rogers
Sr
QB
11
Samoa Samoa
Jr
FB
10
Brian Sickler
Jr
G
58
Greg Sykes
Jr
RB
31
Ray Williams
Sr
SE
86
Mike Wilson
Jr
FL
21
Jim Whatley
Jr
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
DT
95
Ken Collins
So
DT
73
Matt Elisara
So
CB
41
Jeff Files
So
MG
61
Brian Flones
Jr
FS
28
Bob Gregor
Sr
FS
4
Don McCall
Sr
LB
39
Don Nevels
Sr
CB
27
Hugh Parker
Jr
LB
47
Scott Pelluer
Jr
DT
91
Dave Schneider
Jr
CB
13
Mike Snow
Sr
LB
36
Tom Thompson
Sr
DE
62
Mike Walker
Jr
SS
44
John West
So
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
P
16
Tim Davey
So
K
1
Mike DeSanto
Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Dave Elliott
Gary Gagnon
Rich Glover
Lindsay Hughes
Steve Morton
Scott Ricardo
Pat Ruel
Dave Walker
Harold Wheeler
Ken Woody
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Source: [10] [11] [12] [13]
Season summary
UCLA
Mike Snow blocked two field goals and deflected a pass in the end zone as Washington State upset UCLA in front of a record home crowd. Brian Sickler capped an 84-yard fourth quarter drive with a one-yard plunge as the Cougars completed a rally from a 14–7 halftime deficit.[14]
no one ever talks about Don McCall's contribution in that 1979 WSU vs UCLA football game. It is worth noting McCall recorded 2 interceptions, 7 tackles and a fumble recovery. Only Saying.Just for the record it was a great victory for Cougars everywhere.
NFL Draft
Four Cougars were selected in the 1980 NFL Draft .
[15] [16] [17]
References
^ "2017 Media Guide" (PDF) . thesundevils.com . ASU Athletics. p. 127. Retrieved June 15, 2018 .
^ "1979 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. Retrieved October 24, 2016 .
^ "1979 Washington State Cougars Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2016 .
^ Van Sickel, Charlie (October 12, 1979). "Major questions face WSU in UCLA clash" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 25.
^ Barrows, Bob (October 13, 1979). "WSU: For both teams, it's a battle for survival" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ a b Emerson, Paul (October 14, 1979). "Upset" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 4D.
^ a b Van Sickel, Charlie (October 15, 1979). "Kicking, defense WSU keys" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 23.
^ Van Sickel, Charlie (September 18, 1978). "WSU-Idaho rivalry ends none too soon" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 27.
^ "Wildcats vs. Cougars: probable offensive starters" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). September 8, 1979. p. 18.
^ "Grizzlies vs. Cougars: probable starting lineups" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). September 15, 1979. p. 21.
^ "Starting lineups" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). October 27, 1979. p. 2C.
^ Emerson, Paul (November 17, 1979). "Braggin' rights" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 3C.
^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1979 Oct 14. Retrieved 2018-Oct-28.
^ Missildine, Harry (April 30, 1980). "Huskies popular in draft" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). p. C1.
^ "Tatum, Stanford QB big news in NFL draft" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. May 1, 1980. p. 25.
^ "NFL draft" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). Associated Press. May 1, 1980. p. 1C.
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