The Rose Report

THE WORD

“They’ve got all the money, the tradition, the facilities. We don’t have everything… . They are Goliath, we are definitely the David. We’re just a bunch of country guys who drove down here in a pick-up truck.”

Mike Price, WSU coach

“On film, we’ve seen him (Michael Black) break tackles for 60, 70 yards,” Renes said. “It’s scary. … (Quarterback Ryan Leaf has said) Black is the most underrated running back in the country. The more I’ve seen, the more I believe that. He’ll find a hole. If we don’t get to them early, he’s going to break some tackles.”

Rob Renes, Michigan nose tackle

“A nice cool day, just me and a fishing pole at my favorite stream in Montana. No radio, no television, no reporters.”

Ryan Leaf, describing his perfect day

LOOK BACK

After the 1902 Rose Bowl game, the Tournament of Roses committee abandoned the football game in favor of such contests as polo, chariot racing, a race between a camel and an elephant and an ostrich race.

In 1915, Tournament of Roses Committee President Lewis Turner stated, “We better go back to football so we can give newspapermen from coast to coast something to write about.”

QUICK COUG

Gary Holmes

Age: 21

Hometown: Lacey, Wash.

Position: Defensive tackle Hobbies: Catching catfish at Boyer Park near Pullman.

Favorite band: Yanni and Al B. Sure

Favorite game: Final Fantasy Seven (Sony PlayStation)

Secret that people would be surprised to know: “I may look big and mean, but I’m really just a nice guy,” the 6-foot-7, 315-pound junior says. “I’m a big teddy bear.”

FANS FOREVER

The Hoovers

Anne and Ron Hoover (WSU class of ‘63) will be partying on the steps of the Rose Bowl.

The Hoovers, of Spokane, drove to Pasadena in their new motorhome and were able to get permission to park in the Rose Bowl RV area through Jan. 2.

“After 22 years as a football season ticket holder and a Presidents Associate in the Cougar Club,” writes Ron Hoover, “I feel it’s time to have our New Year’s eve party at the Rose Bowl with as many of my family members and friends as possible.”

Meeting the Hoovers at the Rose Bowl will be his son and daughter, his ex-wife and husband, his 82-year-old aunt and her two sons, and several motorhome friends. 2 Graphics: 1. Key Matchup: Mike Price vs. Lloyd Carr 2. Gamebreakers