In their fifth season under head coach Jim Sweeney, the Cougars compiled a 7–4 record (4–3 in the Pac-8, tied for 3rd), and outscored their opponents 274 to 241.

Washington State won their first Apple Cup in four years over favored #17 Washington, dealing Husky quarterback Sonny Sixkiller a 27–10 loss in his final collegiate game.

[5][6][7][8] The Cougars finished in the top twenty in both major polls; the Pac-8 did not allow a second bowl team until the 1975 season.

Two Washington State players, both offensive linemen, were named to the all-conference team: senior tackle Bill Moos and sophomore guard Steve Ostermann.

On the second team (honorable mention) was linebacker Clyde Warehime.