Cougs Earn Bowl Eligibility

For the first time since 2006, the Washington State Cougars became bowl eligible with a 49-37 win over the Utah Utes.  Although a bowl invitation is not guaranteed, a team cannot play in a bowl game unless it has 6 or more wins.  This season with more Pac 12 schools  attaining bowl eligibility than available bowl games, it is imparitive for the Cougs to be Washington in this year's Apple Cup.  The annual cross state rivalry will be played Friday in Seattle.

Cougar Legend Relinquishes Role

Bob Robertson, the voice of Washington State Cougar Football since before I was a teenager, will no longer do play by play on the broadcasts.  The Seattle Times reports that Robertson will do the pregame, and post game show as well as the halftime.  Bud Nameck, who replaced Robertson on the Cougar Basketball broadcasts and has been the sideline reporter in football, will be the new play by play announcer.
Robertson has done the Cougar football broadcasts for 46 years.  In 2004, he won the Chris Schenkel award given by the National Football Foundation and College Hall Of Fame.  Cougar fans remember his unique sign off "Always be a good sport, be a good sport always."

Ryan Leaf Book Compelling

596 Switch refers to a play that the Ryan Leaf had planned to run as the last play of the 1998 Rose Bowl.  Of course, the Washington State Cougars, who were in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 60 plus years, faced one of the most controversial endings in college football.
Ryan Leaf is one of the most polarizing figures in all of sports.  Most remember him for his tempermental outburst in the San Diego Chargers' locker room.  They also remember his uncerimonious retirement from the Seattle Seahawks.   A few months ago, however, the word was out that Leaf had, shall we say, turned over a new leaf, showing maturity and humility in public apearences.  This book would bear that out, as Leaf, writes rather critically about his childish behaviour in certain situations. 
The best thing about this book is the player's eye view of the Coug's 1997-98 magical season, where the team, often considered the joke of the Pac 10 rolled over opponents and went to it's first Rose Bowl in decades.  Leaf suceeds in bringing the drama and joy of the season to life.
Of course, sadly, it seems that Leaf has fallen back into his bad patterns, but for readers who live and die with Cougar Football, I highly recomend this book.

Cougar Freshman Lights Up Sun Devils

In an electrifying performance, 3rd string freshman quarterback Connor Halliday, passed for 496 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead the WSU Cougars to a 37-27 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils.  The Cougs had been 12 point underdogs to a strong ASU team coached by Dennis Erickson.