Price referred to Washington's 29-26 victory over the Cougars on Nov. 23 -- the same day the Bruins were trounced by USC 52-21 to eliminate them from Rose Bowl contention.

The momentum of that 1997 season put a charge into WSU recruiting, paying especially big dividends in 1999. That bountiful '99 class set the table for the next Rose Bowl team, in the 2002 season.

LOS ANGELES -- By now, Washington State players have the Rose Bowl routine down. They practice in the sun for 90 minutes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, answer a few reporters' questions, shower ...