WSU Lands 67 Years Late Cougars Fly Back To Reality For Rose Bowl Preparations
Their chartered Boeing 727 emerged from the haze and settled gracefully onto the runway.
Touchdown, Cougars.
Washington State’s Rose Bowl fantasy became a little more palpable when the eighth-ranked Cougars were greeted Saturday afternoon by perfect weather and a welcoming committee that included bouquet-wielding dignitaries from the Tournament of Roses.
“The plane ride seemed like it took forever,” offensive lineman Cory Withrow said. “I felt like I woke up at 5 in the morning on Christmas and had to wait for my mom to get up.
“It’s unbelievable to be here.”
Coach Mike Price was the first Cougar to step out of the Miami Air charter and onto the tarmac at the Los Angeles International Airport’s Imperial Terminal. Players followed one after the other, led by linebacker Brandon Moore, Withrow, tailback Michael Black, quarterback Ryan Leaf and defensive end Dorian Boose.
“Real happy to be here,” Price told a phalanx of microphones and cameras, sounding nothing like a man whose plane was running 67 years late. “It’s great.”
Some players found the atmosphere overwhelming, especially after spending more than 2 hours in the relative solitude of the sky. Slowly, they absorbed the amplitude of WSU’s first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931.
“It’s really kicking in now,” Boose said, gazing around as if to find his bearings. “I mean, I was aware because of all the hype, but it’s really kicking in now. I’m excited about it. We’re going to enjoy ourselves.”
Before long, Leaf was engulfed by the Rose Court - six young women dressed in black slacks and purple jackets. The Rose Queen was a no-show, but Leaf didn’t seem to mind.
“The last time I was in that much purple, they were all crying and pouting,” Leaf cracked, indulgently recalling his team’s 41-35 victory over Washington.
Nearly an hour after WSU’s 1:32 p.m. arrival, the Cougars boarded six charter buses for the 15-minute ride to team headquarters in Santa Monica. A motorcycle escort whisked them through heavy traffic on Interstate 405 North, delivering them to their luxurious beachfront hotel.
“The Fab Five has arrived, baby!” receiver Chris Jackson yelled, as he strode through the front doors of the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel at 1700 Ocean Ave.
Before long, Price was escorted to his $2,500-a-night suite, complete with baby grand piano, living room and kitchen.
Upon returning to the lobby, Price shared a quiet moment with WSU sports information director Rod Commons, whom he has known for some 20 years.
They shook hands without so much as a word, looking like a couple of mountain climbers who had finally reached the summit. WSU had finally arrived.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PARTY ON, COUGAR FANS What are you doing the day of the big game? Will you be in Pasadena? Or in front of your TV? We want to know if you have special or unusual plans for New Year’s Day. Perhaps you’re staging a huge family reunion around the game. Or you’re getting together at the Rose Bowl with some long-lost Cougars brethren. Send us your plans by mail, fax (509-459-5098) or email (sports@spokesman.com). Please include a daytime phone number where you can be reached. We’ll be running the most intriguing submissions on a daily basis beginning Dec. 26 until game day.