1968 Washington State Cougars football team explained
The 1968 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. In their first season under head coach Jim Sweeney, the Cougars compiled a 3–6–1 record (1–3–1 in Pac-8, seventh), and outscored their opponents 189 to 188.[1] [2] The final two games were shutout victories.
The team's statistical leaders included Jerry Henderson with 1,586 passing yards, Richard Lee Smith with 326 rushing yards, and Johnny Davis with 421 receiving yards.[3]
The Cougars won a second straight Apple Cup from rival Washington, shutting out the Huskies 24–0 in Spokane.[4] This was the last time that this rivalry game was played on natural grass.[5] WSU played only five conference games, missing California and USC. Of the Cougars' five home games, three were played in Spokane.
Sweeney was hired in early January; he was previously the head coach for five seasons at Montana State in Bozeman.[6] [7] [8] He retained alumnus Laurie Niemi on the staff, but Niemi died from cancer at age 42 in February.[9] [10] [11]
Roster
[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
NFL/AFL draft
One Cougar was selected in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft.
[21] [22] External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 1968 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. October 25, 2016.
- Web site: 2016 Media Guide. WSUCougars.com. Washington State Cougars Athletics. October 25, 2016. 76.
- Web site: 1968 Washington State Cougars Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. October 25, 2016.
- News: Cougars plan talent hunt after stunning Husky foe . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . Brown . Bruce . November 25, 1968 . 29.
- News: Good weather but soft field seen for test . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . November 22, 1968 . 19.
- News: New WSU coach Sweeney faces task with optimism . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Missildine . Harry . January 6, 1968 . 10 .
- News: Omen indicates fortune of Cougars may brighten . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). January 6, 1968 . 13.
- News: Sweeney new head football coach at Washington State University . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). January 6, 1968 . 9.
- News: Laurie Niemi dies of cancer at 42 . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . February 20, 1968 . 16.
- News: Cancer claims Niemi; ex-Cougar dies at 42 . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . February 20, 1968 . 16.
- News: Ex-football star dies of cancer . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . February 20, 1968 . 1.
- News: WSU vs. Idaho . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . (probable starting lineups, rosters) . September 20, 1968 . 16.
- News: Transplanted Battle of Palouse matches WSU-Idaho at Spokane . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . September 21, 1968 . 11.
- News: Cougars vs. Redskins: probable offensive starters . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . October 5, 1968 . 11.
- News: Indians vs. Cougars: probable starters . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . October 19, 1968 . 13.
- News: WSU vs. Oregon State . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . (probable offensive starters, rosters) . October 25, 1968 . 17.
- News: Probable lineups . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon) . November 8, 1968 . 3B.
- News: Huskies-Cougars: probable starters . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . November 23, 1968 . 12.
- News: Cougars, Huskies to play for Big Apple Trophy . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Ashmun . Chuck . November 23, 1968 . 10.
- Web site: 2008 Football media guide . Washington State University Athletics . 2008 . 172–191 . March 2, 2020.
- News: San Diego, Dallas pull surprises in annual football player draft . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Associated Press . January 29, 1969 . 11.
- News: 17 are selected from NW area . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . January 30, 1969 . 24.
