1977 Washington State Cougars football team


The 1977 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-8 Conference during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. In their only season under head coach Warren Powers, the Cougars compiled a 6–5 record, and outscored their opponents 263 to 236.
The team's statistical leaders included Jack Thompson with 2,372 passing yards, Dan Doornink with 591 rushing yards, and Mike Levenseller with 736 receiving yards.
The Cougars opened the season with an upset win at fifteenth-ranked Nebraska.
Previously an assistant with the Huskers, Powers left after just twelve months in Pullman for Missouri of the Big Eight Conference. His predecessor in 1976, Jackie Sherrill, also lasted just one season with the Cougars. Offensive backfield coach Jim Walden was promoted to head coach less than a week later, and led the WSU program for nine years.

Schedule

Roster

NFL Draft

Eight Cougars were selected in the 1978 NFL Draft; Ken Greene was the first player from WSU taken in the first round in thirteen years.
Ken GreeneDB119St. Louis Cardinals
Don SchwartzDB487New Orleans Saints
Mike LevensellerWR6164Oakland Raiders
Dan DoorninkRB7174New York Giants
Don HoverLB8219Washington Redskins
Gavin HendrickP8220San Diego Chargers
Eason RamsonTE12312Green Bay Packers
Mark PattersonDB12318Detroit Lions