1968 Washington State Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1968 Washington State Cougars football Washington State Football Helmet 1968.png 200 Pacific-8 Conference Pac-8 3–6–1 1–3–1 Jim Sweeney 1st Rogers Field, Joe Albi Stadium 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 188.1968 Washington State Cougars Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 25, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-state/1968-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 25, 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 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.1968 Washington State Cougars Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 25, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-state/1968.html The Cougars won a second straight Apple Cup from rival Washington, shutting out the Huskies 24–0 in Spokane.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f49YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5525%2C2573742 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Brown Bruce Cougars plan talent hunt after stunning Husky foe November 25, 1968 29 This was the last time that this rivalry game was played on natural grass.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fY9YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4470%2C1764842 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Good weather but soft field seen for test November 22, 1968 19 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.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2r1YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9ugDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7147%2C1250939 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry New WSU coach Sweeney faces task with optimism January 6, 1968 10 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kaQpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2774%2C2056767 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Omen indicates fortune of Cougars may brighten January 6, 1968 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KcpeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5334%2C827239 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Sweeney new head football coach at Washington State University January 6, 1968 9 He retained alumnus Laurie Niemi on the staff, but Niemi died from cancer at age 42 in February.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oyRmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658%2C3398268 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Laurie Niemi dies of cancer at 42 February 20, 1968 16https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T2tYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_PcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4832%2C849460 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Cancer claims Niemi; ex-Cougar dies at 42 February 20, 1968 16https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=On0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4805%2C1409793 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Ex-football star dies of cancer February 20, 1968 1 Schedule 1968 AP September 21 w y Idaho Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA Battle of the Palouse 14–7 23,612 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=frNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8C8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4188%2C3885412 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Wilson Mike Jerry Henderson passes Cougars by Vandals September 22, 1968 10 September 28 l y UCLA 8 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 21–31 41,759 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TmZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7448%2C4130093 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Brown Bruce Cougars buck big odds September 28, 1968 10https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T2ZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5526%2C4250405 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Brown Bruce Home game next for WSU after solid UCLA showing September 30, 1968 17 October 5 l y Utah Rogers Field Pullman, WA 14–17 16,503 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-utah-wins-see-saw/155264866/ The Bellingham Herald Utah wins see-saw battle with Cougs October 6, 1968 September 14, 2024 Newspapers.com October 12 l y y Arizona State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 14–41 36,226 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-arizona-state-rolls-t/155264921/ The Sacramento Bee Arizona State rolls to 41–14 win over Washington State October 13, 1968 September 14, 2024 Newspapers.com October 19 t Stanford 14 Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA 21–21 15,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-stanford-escapes-wi/155264527/ The Spokesman-Review Stanford escapes with tie October 20, 1968 September 14, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 l y Oregon State Rogers Field Pullman, WA 8–16 20,781 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8LgoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-eADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6608%2C5923315 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Enyart paces Beavers' win October 27, 1968 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z8leAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4615%2C5469576 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Preece, Enyart help Beavers spoil Cougars' Homecoming October 27, 1968 15 November 2 l y y Arizona Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 14–28 31,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-wsu-falls-to-arizona/155264981/ Statesman Journal WSU falls to Arizona November 3, 1968 September 14, 2024 Newspapers.com November 9 l y Oregon Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR 13–27 23,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qqxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6316%2C2163985 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Uhrhammer Jerry Olson's passes, runs trip WSU November 10, 1968 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZDpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6751%2C4270398 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Eric Olson guides Oregon to 27–13 win over Cougars November 10, 1968 1, sportshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=875eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2227%2C1885898 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Olson sparks UO to win over WSU November 10, 1968 12 November 16 w y y San Jose State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 46–0 8,450 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-r5eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3183%2C3176852 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press WSU find formula, beats Spartans 46-0 November 17, 1968 10 November 23 w Washington Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA Apple Cup 24–0 31,986 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uKxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5682%2C5609731 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Cougars clobber UW November 24, 1968 2Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ab9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5308%2C4525632 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ashmun Chuck Cougars surprise Huskies with Grenda, win 2nd straight November 24, 1968 12 Roster 1968 Washington State Cougars y 42 So Ed Armstrong SE 32 Sr Del Carmichael FB 10 Sr Hank Grenda QB 73 Sr Dave Golinsky T 70 Sr Jim Guinn T 76 Jr Ty Hansell G 50 Sr Dave Harris C 62 Jr Jim Hellyer G 12 Sr Jerry Henderson QB 66 Sr Bill McCain G 11 So Rich Olson QB 95 Sr Erik Park G 21 Jr Richard Smith HB 81 Sr Ron Souza TE 45 Sr Larry Thatcher SE 13 So Jack Wigmore QB 77 Sr Steve Van Sinderen T 21 Sr Steve Bartelle LB 71 Jr Dave Berger DT 65 Jr Hank Bendix MG 75 Jr Gary Branson DT 82 Jr Dave Crema DE 58 So Terry Durst LB 26 Sr Greg Field CB 64 Sr Jim Gorton LB 82 Jr Hank Maher DE 31 Jr Jim Peterson S 23 Sr Rick Reed CB 40 Sr Dick Schultz DB 44 Jr Steve Shoun S 91 Sr J.D. Smith DE 93 Sr Wayne Swayda DE 20 Sr Mark Williams CB 10 Sr Hank Grenda PK P Jim Sweeney (1st year) Sam Jankovich (AHC) Pinky Erickson (freshmen) Jim Erkenbeck (DL) Sonny Holland (OL) Jim Shanley (DB) Don Lindsey (OB) Hugh Campbell (E) Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R2ZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7210%2C1610708 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington WSU vs. Idaho (probable starting lineups, rosters) September 20, 1968 16https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fbNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8C8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4743%2C3765423 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Transplanted Battle of Palouse matches WSU-Idaho at Spokane September 21, 1968 11https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QTpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4742%2C1246803 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Cougars vs. Redskins: probable offensive starters October 5, 1968 11https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d3szAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7210%2C1066571 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Indians vs. Cougars: probable starters October 19, 1968 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E2lYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633%2C3116850 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington WSU vs. Oregon State (probable offensive starters, rosters) October 25, 1968 17https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qKxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5119%2C1925541 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Probable lineups November 8, 1968 3Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7LVWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4132%2C2645115 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Huskies-Cougars: probable starters November 23, 1968 12https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AL9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5640%2C4375644 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ashmun Chuck Cougars, Huskies to play for Big Apple Trophy November 23, 1968 10https://static.wsucougars.com/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/08-wast-footbl-mg-history.pdf?db_oem_id=30400 Washington State University Athletics 2008 Football media guide 2008 172–191 March 2, 2020 NFL/AFL draft One Cougar was selected in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. Washington State Cougars Player Position Round Overall Franchise Steve Van SinderenTackle7172San Francisco 49ers https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hs1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6251%2C4618984 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press San Diego, Dallas pull surprises in annual football player draft January 29, 1969 11https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b5NYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PPgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5426%2C4129275 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington 17 are selected from NW area January 30, 1969 24 References External links Game program: Idaho vs. WSU at Spokane – September 21, 1968 Game program: Utah at WSU – October 5, 1968 Game program: Stanford vs. WSU at Spokane – October 19. 1968 Game program: Oregon State at WSU – October 26, 1968 Game program: Washington vs. WSU at Spokane – November 23, 1968 Washington State Category:Washington State Cougars football seasons Washington State Cougars football