1979 Washington State Cougars football team explained

Year:1979
Team:Washington State Cougars
Sport:football
Conference:Pacific-10 Conference
Short Conf:Pac-10
Record:3–8
Conf Record:2–6
Head Coach:Jim Walden
Hc Year:2nd
Stadium:Martin Stadium, Joe Albi Stadium

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.[1] [2]

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.[3]

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.[4] [5] upset of UCLA was the Cougars' first win over the Bruins

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);[6] it was played in 1982 and 1989. When Idaho rejoined Division I-A, there was a ten-year resumption (19982007).

Roster

[7] [8] [9] [10]

Fallen teammate

During an evening practice on August 22, senior defensive tackle Hayward "Spud" Harris of Tacoma collapsed during a non-contact drill. He could not be revived by the training staff, was rushed by ambulance to Pullman Memorial Hospital, and was pronounced dead an hour after arrival.[11] [12] [13] [14]

Season summary

UCLA

On homecoming weekend, Mike Snow blocked two field goals and deflected a pass in the end zone as Washington State upset UCLA 17–14 in front of a record home crowd in the newly-expanded Martin Stadium. Brian Sickler capped an 84-yard fourth quarter drive with a one-yard plunge as the Cougars rallied from a 7–14 halftime deficit.[15]

Senior safety Don McCall recorded two interceptions, seven tackles, and a fumble recovery.

NFL Draft

Four Cougars were selected in the 1980 NFL draft.

Bob GregorS4108San Diego Chargers
Tali EnaRB11292Seattle Seahawks
Ray WilliamsWR/RB12307Detroit Lions
Tyrone GrayDB12309St. Louis Cardinals
[16] [17] [18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1979 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. October 24, 2016.
  2. Web site: 2016 Media Guide. WSUCougars.com. Washington State Cougars Athletics. October 24, 2016. 77. October 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161021004149/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/wsu.sidearmsports.com/documents/2016/8/25/2016_Football_Media_Guide_Color.pdf. dead.
  3. Web site: 1979 Washington State Cougars Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. October 24, 2016.
  4. News: Major questions face WSU in UCLA clash . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . Van Sickel . Charlie . October 12, 1979 . 25.
  5. News: WSU: For both teams, it's a battle for survival . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Barrows . Bob . October 13, 1979 . 1C.
  6. News: WSU-Idaho rivalry ends none too soon . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . Van Sickel . Charlie . September 18, 1978 . 27.
  7. News: Wildcats vs. Cougars: probable offensive starters . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . September 8, 1979 . 18.
  8. News: Grizzlies vs. Cougars: probable starting lineups . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . September 15, 1979 . 21.
  9. News: Starting lineups . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon) . October 27, 1979 . 2C.
  10. News: Braggin' rights . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Emerson . Paul . November 17, 1979 . 3C.
  11. News: Lineman collapses, dies . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . August 23, 1979 . 1.
  12. News: 'Spud' Harris, WSU football player, dies . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . August 22, 1979 . 1C.
  13. News: WSU football team shocked by death . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . Associated Press . August 23, 1979 . 43.
  14. News: Hayward Harris: 1958–1979 . Daily Evergreen . (Pullman). (Washington State University) . September 20, 1979 . 41.
  15. News: Wash St. 17, UCLA 14 . Ocala Star-Banner . (Florida) . Associated Press . October 14, 1979 . 3C.
  16. News: Huskies popular in draft . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Missildine . Harry . April 30, 1980 . C1.
  17. News: Tatum, Stanford QB big news in NFL draft . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Associated Press . May 1, 1980 . 25.
  18. News: NFL draft . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Associated Press . May 1, 1980 . 1C.