In their first season under head coach Jim Sweeney, the Cougars compiled a 3–6–1 record (1–3–1 in Pac-8, seventh), and outscored their opponents 189 to 188.

[3] The Cougars won a second straight Apple Cup from rival Washington, shutting out the Huskies 24–0 in Spokane.

[4] This was the last time that this rivalry game was played on natural grass.

[5] WSU played only five conference games, missing California and USC.

Sweeney was hired in early January; he was previously the head coach for five seasons at Montana State in Bozeman.