In Eugene, the Cougars defeated Oregon for the fourth straight year;[4][5] it was WSU's only conference victory, and the Ducks went winless in the Pac-8.

The Cougars had an opportunity for an unprecedented third consecutive victory over rival Washington,[6][7] but lost by seven points in Spokane.

[8][9] This was the first season for the concrete north grandstand at Martin Stadium, the student section was formerly a wooden grandstand constructed in the 1930s as part of Rogers Field.

[10][11][12] [2][14] [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Three Washington State seniors were named to the All-Pac-8 team; guard Steve Ostermann, center Geoff Reece, and linebacker Gary Larsen.

[25][26] Ostermann was named to the first team for a third consecutive year and Reece was a repeat selection.