1979 Washington State Cougars football team

1979 Washington State Cougars football
Conference	Pacific-10 Conference
Record	3–8 (2–6 Pac-10)
Head coach	Jim Walden (2nd season)
Home stadium	Martin Stadium, Joe Albi Stadium
Seasons ← 1978 1980 →

The 1979 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second season under head coach Jim Walden, the Cougars compiled a 3–8 record (2–6 in Pac-10, ninth), and were outscored 366 to 241.^[2][3]

The team's statistical leaders included Steve Grant with 1,565 passing yards, Tali Ena with 844 rushing yards, and Jim Whatley with 513 receiving yards.^[4]

Martin Stadium's seating capacity was increased over the summer (track removed, field lowered) and hosted its first game of the season in mid-October for homecoming.^[5][6] The 17–14 upset of UCLA was the Cougars' first win over the Bruins since 1958.^[7][8]

The traditional Battle of the Palouse game with neighbor Idaho went on hiatus beginning with this season (the Vandals had moved down to Division I-AA in 1978);^[9] it was played in 1982 and 1989. When Idaho rejoined Division I-A, there was a ten-year resumption (1998–2007).

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 8	Arizona	Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA	L 7–22	26,753	[10]
September 15	Montana*	Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA	W 34–14	20,157	[11]
September 22	at No. 16 Ohio State*	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH	L 29–45	87,495	[12]
September 29	at Syracuse*	Rich Stadium Orchard Park, NY	L 25–52	10,004	[13]
October 6	at No. 1 USC	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	L 21–50	55,117	[14]
October 13	UCLA	Martin Stadium Pullman, WA	W 17–14	32,651	[7][8]
October 20	at Arizona State	Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ	W 17–28 (forfeit win)	70,729	[15]
October 27	Oregon	Martin Stadium Pullman, WA	W 26–37 (forfeit win)	18,650	[16]
November 3	at Oregon State	Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR	W 45–42	21,500	[17]
November 10	California	Martin Stadium Pullman, WA	L 13–45	22,055	[18]
November 17	at No. 16 Washington	Husky Stadium Seattle, WA (Apple Cup)	L 7–17	57,750	[19]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

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During an evening practice on August 22, senior defensive tackle Hayward "Spud" Harris of Tacoma collapsed during a non-contact drill. He could not be revived by the training staff, was rushed by ambulance to Pullman Memorial Hospital, and was pronounced dead an hour after arrival.^{[24][25][26][27]}

On homecoming weekend, Mike Snow blocked two field goals and deflected a pass in the end zone as Washington State upset UCLA 17–14 in front of a record home crowd in the newly-expanded Martin Stadium. Brian Sickler capped an 84-yard fourth quarter drive with a one-yard plunge as the Cougars rallied from a 7–14 halftime deficit.^[7][8][28]

Senior safety Don McCall recorded two interceptions, seven tackles, and a fumble recovery.

Four Cougars were selected in the 1980 NFL draft.

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• Game program: Arizona vs. WSU at Spokane – September 8, 1979
• Game program: UCLA at WSU – October 13, 1979
• Game program: California at WSU – November 10, 1979