American college football season
The 1975 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) during the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. In their eighth season under head coach Jim Sweeney, the Cougars compiled a 3–8 record (0–7 in Pac-8, last) and were outscored 295 to 262.[1][2]
The team's statistical leaders included John Hopkins with 1,022 passing yards, Vaughn Williams with 662 rushing yards, and Brian Kelly with 371 receiving yards.[3]
With two wins to open the season,[4][5][6] followed by seven consecutive losses,[7] the Cougars took out their frustrations on over-matched neighbor Idaho in the Battle of the Palouse on November 15, scoring eight touchdowns in the first half on the way to an 84–27 rout.[8][9][10] The next week at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WSU led rival Washington 27–13 with three minutes left in Don James' first Apple Cup, but gave up two long touchdowns to lose by a point.[11][12][13][14]
Sweeney resigned a week later,[15][16][17] and was promptly hired at Fresno State.[18][19][20][21]
This was the first season for the concrete north grandstand at Martin Stadium; the student section, it was formerly a wooden grandstand constructed in the 1930s as part of Rogers Field.[22][23][24] (1975 aerial photo)[25]
Roster
1975 Washington State Cougars football team roster
|
Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
TE
|
80
|
Carl Barschig
|
Sr
|
QB
|
12
|
Wally Bennett
|
Jr
|
FB
|
30
|
Vern Chamberlain
|
Sr
|
C
|
60
|
Jon DesPois
|
Jr
|
RB
|
11
|
Dan Doornink
|
So
|
RB
|
31
|
Harold Gillum
|
G
|
54
|
Bob Hill
|
Jr
|
QB
|
18
|
John Hopkins
|
Jr
|
SE
|
44
|
Brian Kelly
|
So
|
SE
|
27
|
Ray Kimble
|
Sr
|
SE
|
21
|
Mike Levenseller
|
So
|
SE
|
3
|
Mike Maenhout
|
Sr
|
SE
|
1
|
Dennis Pearson
|
So
|
OT
|
75
|
Robin Ross
|
Sr
|
OT
|
73
|
Dan Smith
|
Sr
|
C
|
56
|
Dave Tobin
|
Sr
|
QB
|
14
|
Jack Thompson
|
Fr
|
FB
|
24
|
Vaughn Williams
|
Sr
|
G
|
70
|
Mark Young
|
Sr
|
|
Defense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
SS
|
41
|
Tony Cook
|
Jr
|
S
|
5
|
Rufus Cunningham
|
Sr
|
NT
|
82
|
Dennis Dobberpuhl
|
Sr
|
CB
|
37
|
Ken Greene
|
So
|
CB
|
25
|
Tony Heath
|
Sr
|
LB
|
57
|
Don Hover
|
Jr
|
DE
|
90
|
Mark Husfloen
|
Sr
|
LB
|
58
|
Scott Mullenix
|
Sr
|
DE
|
87
|
Tim Ochs
|
Jr
|
LB
|
94
|
Bill Patterson
|
Sr
|
CB
|
15
|
Mark Patterson
|
So
|
LB
|
63
|
Jerry Payne
|
Sr
|
DT
|
50
|
George Yarno
|
Fr
|
|
Special teams
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
PK
|
33
|
Chuck Diedrick
|
Jr
|
P
|
46
|
Gavin Hedrick
|
So
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
|
[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]
NFL Draft
Four Cougars were selected in the 1976 NFL Draft
[34][35]