Washington State Cougars: Top-6 Super Bowl Cougs
Chip Clark
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The Big Game is next week. During this one-week lull between the Conference Championships and Super Bowl, we look back at some Washington State Cougars alumni who excelled on the biggest stage.
The Washington State Cougars are part of a premier football conference. They have a steady track record of sending players to the NFL. Some of them went on to the biggest stage in sports. These are the Top-6 Super Bowl Cougs.
1) Mark Rypien, QB, WSU – 1981-85
While not every career is a Hall-of-Fame quality one, it can still have HOF moments. That statement fits Mark Rypien to a tee. His overall NFL numbers are better than average, but there is zero doubt Rypien turned in the best performance of any Washington State Cougars alumni to play in the Super Bowl.
His pro career lasted 11 seasons, but the run Rypien had from 1989 through 1992 was exceptional. In that span, he played four seasons for Washington, compiling a 39-17 record, with 12,684 yards, 79 touchdowns, 2 Pro-Bowls, and one fantastic Super Bowl performance. It’s the championship that most people associate with his career.
It was Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis, where Rypien made his bones. He threw for 292 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception on 18 of 32 passing. After a lackluster first quarter, the Skins put up 17 points in the second. Rypien’s big play was a 41-yard pass to Ricky Sanders, which he later followed up with a 10-yard scoring pass to Earnest Byner.
Rypien’s second touchdown pass was a beautiful 30-yard arc over the top to Gary Clark in the third quarter. That touchdown gave Washington a commanding 31-10 lead with 1:24 left in the quarter.
His team won the Lombardi Trophy, and Rypien went to Disney World as the Super Bowl MVP.
On this date in 1992:
The #Redskins win Super Bowl XXVI and @BMitchliveNBCS made sure Mark Rypien wasn't going to Disney World without him.#HTTR (via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/XcaoBRH8eA
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 26, 2019
2) Erik Howard, NT, 1983-85
When Erik Howard came into the league as a nose tackle in 1986, the 3-4 defense was still a relatively new thing. His team, the New York Giants, took it to another level led by middle linebacker Harry Carson and outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Howard’s job wasn’t necessarily to wreak havoc but rather to tie up the opposition’s interior offensive line so others could make plays. It was something he did well.
During his first trip to the Super Bowl (XXI) following the 1986 season, Howard saw action in relief of Pro Bowler Jim Burt. NYG beat Denver handily 39-20.
When he went back four years later, Howard was the starting nose tackle and All-Pro. He made five tackles in the Giants 20-19 win over Buffalo and was on the field when Bills kicker Scott Norwood pushed a final field goal attempt wide right to end the game. One other bit of trivia, Howard was the first player to win the Morris Trophy for outstanding Pac-12 lineman and a Super Bowl ring.
1990: NFCC Game Week- Madden & Summerall gave their thoughts on the game. Madden called Erik Howard's forced fumble one of the best plays he's ever seen. Asked about Buffalo, Madden noted #NYGiants defense makes you seem conservative on offense & will give a battle #TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/lEQFIrm29y
— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) January 26, 2022