This Week In Cougar Athletics History

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Aug. 30, 1997
Football

Ryan Leaf threw for a career high 381 yards and three touchdowns and the Cougar defense made a courageous goal line stand late in the game as Washington State handed UCLA a 37-34 setback in the season and Pacific-10 Conference opener for both clubs before a crowd of 26,000 and a national ABC television audience.

The Cougars, after falling behind 7-0 and 14-3, scored 27 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 30-14 lead at half-time. Late in the third quarter WSU still held a 16-point advantage, only to have the Bruins ring up two touchdowns to pull within three points.

The Cougar defense then rallied inside the three-minute mark by halting UCLA's fourth down rushing attempt one yard from the endzone. Leaf then hit Shawn McWashington with a pair of key first down passes as the Cougars ran out the clock to win their sixth straight home opener.

Leaf ended the game hitting 17 of his 30 passes, while Nian Taylor's five catches accounted for 200 yards. McWashington also had five receptions for 49 yards. Michael Black rushed the ball 27 times for his 102 yards. Duane Stewart and Steve Gleason each had nine tackles, while Brandon Moore and Boose each recorded one sack.

The game was noteworthy for the fact that it was called by ABC broadcaster, and WSU alumnus, Keith Jackson. Jackson had worked several WSU games before but this was the first WSU game he had broadcast in Pullman.

Aug. 31, 2002
Volleyball

Washington State handed No. 23 BYU a 30-15, 30-23, 30-21 defeat as the Cougars won the championship of the 13th Annual Les Schwab Cougar Challenge Volleyball Tournament before 605 fans at Bohler Gym.

WSU senior LaToya Harris was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Harris and Chelsie Schafer led WSU in the title match with 12 kills each. Schafer was the match digs leader with 15 while Holly Harris led the team with four blocks. Harris and Victoria Prince each had three services aces as the host Cougars had nine aces to BYU's one. Freshman setter Brenn Larson had 31 assists.

The last time Washington State defeated a ranked team was Nov. 16, 2000, when the Cougars downed No. 7 UCLA in four games.