1976 Washington State Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1976 Washington State Cougars football Washington State Football Helmet 1976-1987.png 200 Pacific-8 Conference Pac-8 3–8 2–5 Jackie Sherrill 1st Bob Leahy 1st Howard Tippetthttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H6hfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5420%2C2376469 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Sherrill takes Pitt job for 'a lot of reasons' December 7, 1976 1B 1st Martin StadiumKingdomeJoe Albi Stadium The 1976 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In their only season under head coach Jackie Sherrill, the Cougars compiled a 3–8 record (2–5 in Pac-8, sixth), and were outscored 331 to 240.1976 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 24, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-state/1976-schedule.html2016 Media Guide http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/wsu.sidearmsports.com/documents/2016/8/25/2016_Football_Media_Guide_Color.pdf WSUCougars.com Washington State Cougars Athletics October 24, 2016 76 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 The team's statistical leaders included Jack Thompson with 2,762 passing yards, Dan Doornink with 422 rushing yards, and Mike Levenseller with 1,124 receiving yards.1976 Washington State Cougars Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 24, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-state/1976.html Senior quarterback John Hopkins injured a knee in the second game making a tackle;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uCBOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6533%2C1584334 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Gophers whip Cougs September 19, 1976 D1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HvpLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4vgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4707%2C827310 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Brown Bruce Effort is not enough to ease hurt of loss September 20, 1976 17 sophomore Thompson relieved him and again the following week,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vyBOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6288%2C4566276 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Badgers win air war September 26, 1976 D1 then became the starter for the rest of the season.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EPQjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5805%2C1515960 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Thompson unloads on Idaho October 3, 1976 D1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FvQjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2977%2C3490770 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Thompson's key in 'Dome Bowl' October 9, 1976 13 A home game was played in Seattle at the newly-opened Kingdome, against eleventh-ranked USC.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F_QjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5856%2C4249851 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Cougs tough, short October 10, 1976 D1 Previous home games in Seattle in 1972 and 1974 were at Husky Stadium.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aIJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6041%2C1386311 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Top-ranked Trojans bomb Cougars 44-3 November 5, 1972 19https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T7NeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7y8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5138%2C1382081 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Cougars 'discover' No. 1 October 6, 1974 15 The sole game at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane was the Apple Cup, which was also under consideration as the Kingdome game.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4LBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-TIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6109%2C5729945 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press WSU may move Husky contest to Kingdome February 20, 1976 3B Previously the defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, Sherrill was hired in late December 1975,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wk8dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nFYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2047%2C2781330 Pittsburgh Press Franke Russ Pitt assistant takes head job December 26, 1975 38https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zx4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7272%2C2912256 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Sherrill named WSU coach December 26, 1975 15https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LHZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ci8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4856%2C8758310 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho WSU hires Pittsburgh assistant December 27, 1975 1B but coached just one season in Pullman, leaving in early December to return to the Panthers as head coach.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=loYqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5VYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6984%2C3194830 Pittsburgh Press Livingston Pat Sherrill's time comes for Pitt job December 7, 1976 49 A week later, he was succeeded at WSU by Warren Powers, the defensive backfield coach at Nebraska.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JqhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5194%2C5240268 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob WSU fills football job with Nebraska assistant December 14, 1976 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kyFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6872%2C6005239 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Warren Powers new Coug coach December 14, 1976 19https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uE9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5vgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6119%2C3502104 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Brown Bruce New challenge faces Powers December 14, 1976 19 Schedule 1976 AP September 11 l y y Kansas 19 Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS 16–35 39,475 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-kansas-k-state-too-much-for/181035324/ Tulsa World Kansas, K-State too much for Cougars September 12, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 18 l y y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 14–28 31,627 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-cougars-bow-to-min/181035364/ The Bellingham Herald Cougars bow to Minnesota September 19, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 25 l y y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 26–35 69,658 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-wisconsin-wins-carrol/181035398/ The Post-Crescent Wisconsin wins; Carroll leads Badgers September 26, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 w y Idaho Martin Stadium Pullman, WA Battle of the Palouse 45–6 23,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-washington-state-ro/161149283/ The Billings Gazette Washington State routs Idaho October 3, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 l USC 11 Kingdome Seattle, WA 14–23 37,268 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-wsu-scares-usc-bell-sets/181035445/ The Columbian WSU scares USC, Bell sets record October 10, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 l y UCLA 4 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 3–62 35,508 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-bruins-rout-cougars/181035492/ The Spokesman-Review Bruins rout Cougars October 17, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 l Stanford Martin Stadium Pullman, WA 16–22 24,300 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-cards-nip-cougs-at-029/181035526/ The Olympian Cards nip Cougs at 0:29 October 24, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 30 w y Oregon Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR 23–22 22,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-inability-to-make-b/180976559/ The Sunday Oregonian Inability to make big plays proves UO undoing against WSU October 31, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 w y Oregon State Martin Stadium Pullman, WA 29–24 20,122 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-4th-quarter-drive-wins-f/180976153/ Tri-City Herald 4th quarter drive wins for Cougs November 7, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 13 l y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 22–23 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-cal-holds-on-to-beat-w/181035559/ Statesman Journal Cal holds on to beat WSU by 1 November 14, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 20 l Washington Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA Apple Cup 32–51 35,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-rowland-lits-1000-uw/181035596/ The News Tribune Rowland lits 1,000; UW trips WSU November 21, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries USC Washington State Cougars 2; text-align:center collapsed #11 USC Trojans (3–1) at Washington State Cougars (1–3) October 9 USC 0 14 0 9 Washington State 0 7 0 7 Kingdome, Seattle, Washington 37,268 Indoors (dome) "Bell runs for 346 as USC clips Cougars." Eugene Register-Guard. 1976 OCt 10. Retrieved 2018-Dec-29. First quarter No scoring Second quarter USC – Ricky Bell 1-yard run (Glen Walker kick). USC 7–0. Drive: USC – Shelton Diggs 55-yard pass from Vince Evans (Glen Walker kick, 6:23. USC 14–0. Drive: WSU – Harold Gillum 4-yard run (Chuck Diedrick kick). USC 14–7. Drive: Third quarter No scoring Fourth quarter WSU – Brian Kelly 23-yard pass from Jack Thompson (Chuck Diedrick kick). Tie 14–14. Drive: USC – Glen Walker 26-yard field goal, 9:26. USC 17–14. Drive: USC – Ricky Bell 9-yard run (kick failed). USC 23–14. Drive: Top passers USC WSU – Jack Thompson – 26/48, 341 yards, TD Top rushers USC – Ricky Bell – 51 rushes, 346 yards, 2 TD WSU Top receivers USC WSU UXO4Qun54Ns "1976 Washington State vs. USC (game film, silent)" Roster 1976 Washington State Cougars y 12 Sr Wally Bennett QB 13 Jr Bob Bratkowski WR y 88 So Ron Bull TE Sam Busch RB 60 Sr Jon DesPois C Mike Doerfler RB 11 Jr Dan Doornink RB y Tali Ena RB 71 Jr Larry Finan OG 25 So Harold Gillum RB 54 Sr Bob Hill OT 18 Sr John Hopkins QB 44 Jr Brian Kelly WR Allan Kennedy OL 65 Jr Tom Larsen OG 68 Jr Dave Lemke OT 21 Jr Mike Levenseller WR y Bevan Maxey WR 83 Jr Eason Ramson TE y 14 So Jack Thompson Jack Thompson (American football) QB y Toby Tisby RB 26 Fr Mike Washington RB 31 Fr Ray Williams RB 96 So Raleigh Fletcher LB 98 So Terry Gilmore LB 37 Jr Ken Greene CB y Bob Gregor DB 76 Fr Spud Harris DT Mark Hicks DL 57 Jr Don Hover LB y 97 So Jeff Jones LB 87 Sr Tim Ochs DT 15 Jr Mark Patterson CB Dean Pedigo LB 38 Fr Mel Sanders DE 48 Jr Don Schwartz DB 36 So Tom Thompson DE 16 Jr John Troppman S 50 So George Yarno NG y 33 Jr Chuck Diedrick K 46 Jr Gavin Hedrick P *Jackie Sherrill (1st year) Dave Campo (DB) Bill Cords Michael Church (DL) Rod Kirby (LB) Bob Leahy (OC) Howard Tippett (DC) Mike Price (RB) Dave Walker (OL) https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D_QjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5911%2C546486 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington (rosters) Vandals vs. Cougars: probable starters October 2, 1976 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZiFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4002%2C3012145 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington (rosters) Cardinals vs. Cougars: probable starters October 23, 1976 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ROVVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4OADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2319%2C7427802 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon The lineups: probable starters October 30, 1976 1Dhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P_VLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3092%2C1582106 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington (rosters) Huskies vs. Cougars: probable starters November 20, 1976 17 References External links Game program: USC vs. WSU at Seattle – October 9, 1976 Game program: Stanford at WSU – October 23, 1976 Game program: Oregon State at WSU – November 6, 1976 Game program: Washington vs. WSU at Spokane – November 20, 1976 Washington State Category:Washington State Cougars football seasons Washington State Cougars football