| Year: | 1988 |
| Team: | Washington State Cougars |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Pacific-10 Conference |
| Short Conf: | Pac-10 |
| Coachrank: | 16 |
| Aprank: | 16 |
| Record: | 9–3 |
| Conf Record: | 5–3 |
| Head Coach: | Dennis Erickson |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Off Coach: | Bob Bratkowski |
| Oc Year: | 2nd |
| Off Scheme: | Single-back spread |
| Def Coach: | John L. Smith |
| Dc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Scheme: | 4–3 |
| Captain: | Ivan Cook |
| Captain2: | Timm Rosenbach |
| Stadium: | Martin Stadium |
| Champion: | Aloha Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Aloha Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 24–22 vs. Houston |
The 1988 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second and final season under head coach Dennis Erickson, the Cougars compiled a 9–3 record (5–3 in Pac-10, tied for third), and outscored their opponents 415 to 303.[1] [2]
The team's statistical leaders included Timm Rosenbach with 3,097 passing yards, Steve Broussard with 1,280 rushing yards, and Tim Stallworth with 1,151 receiving yards.[3]
On October 29, Washington State beat No. 1 UCLA at the Rose Bowl, their first and only win ever over a No. 1 ranked team.[4]
Several months after this season, Erickson departed for Miami in early March 1989,[5] [6] [7] and Mike Price was hired a week later; a former Cougar player and assistant, he was previously the head coach for eight years in the Big Sky Conference at Weber State in Ogden, Utah.[8] [9] [10] [11]
Quarterback Rosenbach opted not to stay as a fifth-year senior in 1989 and announced his intent to turn professional in April.[12] [13] He entered the NFL's supplemental draft, and was selected in July with the second pick by the recently relocated Phoenix Cardinals.[14] [15] [16]
27 rush, 173 yds[19]
See also: 1988 Washington Huskies football team and Apple Cup.
Shawn Landrum blocked an Eric Canton punt which led to Timm Rosenbach's eventual game-winning fourth down touchdown run. Washington State secured an Aloha Bowl berth with the win.
Three Cougars were selected in the 1989 NFL draft, held April 23–24.
| Mike Utley | G | 3 | 59 | Detroit Lions | |
| Chris Dyko | T | 8 | 221 | Chicago Bears | |
| Artie Holmes | DB | 11 | 293 | New York Jets |
The supplemental draft was held on July 7.
| Timm Rosenbach | QB | 1 | 2 | Phoenix Cardinals |