Cougars vs. Montana Grizzlies - November 1926 Alumnus magazine

COUGARS, 14; GRIZZLIES, 6
The Alumnus, November 1926

Joe Koenig, 1926 W.S.C. halfback

Playing in a driving rain, which permitted little but straight football, Washington State defeated Montana 14 to six in a game featured by long gains by Kelly of Montana and Meeker, Koenig, Sweet, Rohwer and Horan for State. Only two forward passes were attempted and the touted aerial attack of both teams was unable to get under way. Despite a soggy field, many spectacular runs and well executed line plunges were seen, although fumbles frequently marred the playing of both teams.

“Wild Bill” Kelly, premier Montana quarter, raced 40 yards with less than a minute left to play for the lone Grizzly touchdown. Sweet punted from his own goal line to the Missoula ace, who gave a beautiful exhibition of broken field running, throwing oh tacklers the entire distance to the goal posts.

Montana was given the edge in the distance of punts, averaging 36 yards to 31 for State. W. S. C. suffered heaviest penalties but made 13 first downs to one for Montana. State’s entire backfield made consistent yardage through the Grizzly line while the W. S. C. forward wall held the Montana backs to a few short gains.

A small but colorful crowd of about 2000 witnessed the contest, yellow and green slickers standing out in clear relief against the gray student bleachers. The field was a great, soggy pool of mud wherever the two teams battled enough to dig up the soft turf. During a short lull in the rain, the rooter section sang “How Dry I Am” but another deluge chopped off the last of the song before it was finished.

State’s band made its first appearance of the season at this game and played a number of college songs while formed in a large “W” in the middle of the field before the first whistle. Between halves the rooter section formed a large crimson and gray “W” with colored cards.

W. S. C. scored in the first and again in the last period. Meeker went over for the first touchdown after line bucks by Rohwer, Gustafson and Meeker had worked the ball down from the middle of the field. Koenig shoved across the second touchdown when he made a 38-yard dive through right tackle after a series of plunges through center by Horan. Meeker converted both tries for point.

The 1926 Football Season:

The Football Situation - October 1926, The Alumnus magazine

Cougars vs. Idaho - November 1926, The Alumnus magazine

Cougars vs. U.S.C. Trojans - November 1926, The Alumnus magazine

Cougars vs. Huskies - November 1926, The Alumnus magazine

The Victory Team - December 1926, The Alumnus magazine