Washington State University Athletics

The 1997 Washington State football team took its place among the greatest teams in school history following an historic season. Behind a solid defense and an offense that featured the The Fab Five receivers, The Fat Five offensive line and an All-American quarterback, the Cougars opened the season with back-to-back wins over UCLA and USC, and never looked back. WSU went 7-1 in conference play, capped by a 41-35 Apple Cup victory over Washington. The win secured the Cougars’ first Pacific-10 Championship and first conference title since the 1930 season, while propelling WSU into the 1998 Rose Bowl against Michigan following a 67-year absence. In a game that came down to the final play, eventual national champion Michigan held off a late Cougar rally for a 21-16 victory. Despite the loss, the Cougars concluded the year by setting 24 individual or team records, saw head coach Mike Price named the National Coach of the Year and had 13 players either drafted or sign NFL free agent contracts.