A History of Cougar football
By Charles Apple The Spokesman-Review
KEY:
Overall Season Record:
WINS
LOSSES
TIES
Rivalries and Bowl Games:
W
L
T
1894
Original mascot is “Squirt,” a pet terrier. Original team colors: Blue and pink, to honor sunsets on the Palouse.
1
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1895
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1896
2
1
1897
2
1898
1
1899
1
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1900
Crimson and gray adopted as school colors.
1
1
vs Washington:
T
1901
4
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
T
1902
2
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1903
3
3
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1904
2
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1905
4
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
1906
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1907
7
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
W
1908
4
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
T
vs Washington:
T
1909
4
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1910
New school sports mascot: an Indian.
2
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1911
3
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1912
2
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1913
4
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1914
2
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1915
One of three teams to claim a share of the national championship.
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Rose Bowl vs Brown:
W
1916
4
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1917
Joins Pacific Coast Conference and is the conference champion.
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
1918
1
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
1919
Adopts “Cougars” as team mascot.
5
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1920
5
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
1921
4
2
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
1922
2
5
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1923
2
4
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1924
1
5
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1925
3
4
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
vs Washington:
L
1926
Orin E. “Babe” Hollingberry becomes coach. Over the next 10 years, the Cougars do not lose a single home game.
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
1927
3
3
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
T
vs Washington:
L
1928
7
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1929
10
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
1930
9
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
Rose Bowl vs Alabama:
L
1931
6
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1932
7
1
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
T
1933
5
3
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
1934
4
3
1
The Governor’s Trophy is awarded to the winner of the UW versus WSU game starting this year.
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
T
1935
5
3
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1936
6
3
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1937
3
3
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
T
1938
2
8
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
L
1939
4
5
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington:
W
1940
4
4
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1941
6
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1942
6
2
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
T
1943-44
World War II: no Cougar football.
1945
6
2
1
Two Washington-Washington State games are played: One in Seattle and one in Pullman.
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
vs Washington (in Seattle):
W
vs Washington (in Pullman):
L
1946
1
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1947
3
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1948
4
5
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1949
3
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1950
4
3
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
T
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1951
7
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1952
4
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1953
4
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1954
4
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1955
1
7
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1956
Jim Sutherland becomes coach.
3
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1957
6
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1958
7
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
W
1959
6
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1960
4
5
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1961
3
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
"Governor's Trophy" vs Washington:
L
1962
Governor’s Trophy is renamed the Apple Cup.Joins Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU).
5
4
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1963
3
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1964
3
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1965
7
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1966
3
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1967
2
8
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1968
AAWU becomes Pac-8 Conference.Jim Sweeney becomes coach.
3
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1969
1
9
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1970
1
10
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1971
4
7
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1972
Martin Stadium opens
7
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1973
5
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1974
2
9
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1975
3
8
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1976
Jackie Sherrill becomes coach.
3
8
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1977
7
4
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1978
Pac-8 becomes Pac-10.Jim Walden becomes coach
4
6
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1979
5
6
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1980
4
7
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1981
8
3
1
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Rose Bowl vs Michigan:
L
1982
3
7
1
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1983
7
4
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1984
6
5
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1985
4
7
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
1986
3
7
1
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1987
Dennis Erickson becomes coach
3
7
1
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1988
9
3
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Aloha Bowl vs Houston:
W
1989
Mike Price becomes coach.
6
5
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1990
3
8
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1991
4
7
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1992
9
3
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
Copper Bowl vs Utah:
W
1993
5
6
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1994
8
4
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
Alamo Bowl vs Baylor:
W
1995
3
8
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1996
5
6
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1997
10
2
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
Rose Bowl vs Michigan:
L
1998
3
8
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
1999
3
9
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2000
4
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
L
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2001
10
2
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Sun Bowl vs Purdue:
W
2002
Pac-10 co-champions.
10
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Washington 29, WSU 26 in triple overtime.
Rose Bowl vs Oklahoma:
L
2003
Bill Doba becomes coach.
10
3
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Holiday Bowl vs Texas:
W
2004
5
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
2005
4
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
2006
6
6
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2007
5
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
2008
Paul Wulff becomes coach.
2
11
11
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
2009
1
11
11
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2010
2
10
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2011
Pac-10 becomes Pac-12.
4
8
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2012
Mike Leach becomes coach.
3
9
Apple Cup vs Washington:
W
2013
6
7
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
New Mexico Bowl vs Colorado State:
L
2014
3
9
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
2015
9
4
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Sun Bowl vs Miami:
W
2016
8
5
"Battle of the Palouse" vs Idaho:
W
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Holiday Bowl vs Minnesota:
L
2017
9
4
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Holiday Bowl vs Michigan State:
L
2018
11
11
2
Apple Cup vs Washington:
L
Alamo Bowl vs Iowa State:
W
Sources: Washington State University Sports Information, Sports-Reference.com, Spokesman-Review files