California Dreamin’ Washington State Is One Step From Rose Bowl

Washington State University moved one step closer to its first Rose Bowl appearance in 67 years on Saturday with a 38-28 college football victory over Stanford before the largest crowd in Martin Stadium history.

If WSU defeats Washington this week in Seattle, and if UCLA defeats USC, the Cougars are bound for Pasadena, Calif., and the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl game.

“When you’re coaching the best team probably to ever wear the crimson and gray, it’s a great feeling,” WSU coach Mike Price said.

Quarterback Ryan Leaf threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third, while running back Michael Black rushed for 174 yards.

The 14th-ranked Cougars are 9-1 for the first time since 1930. That team made the school’s last Rose Bowl appearance.

The game was witnessed by a crowd of 40,306, breaking the Martin Stadium record of 40,000.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo