Coug It

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coug It is a slang term common to the sports culture of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Best defined as 'snatching defeat from the almost certain clutches of victory'. The term was coined by fans of Washington State University as a bit of self-deprecating humor to shrug off an unfortunate loss by one of its underdog athletic teams, most notably its football team who on several occasions during the Jim Sweeney era, lost in the final minutes through a reversal of fortune, mistake, or bad judgment (see Apple Cup 1975). The phrase is now popular with fans of other Pac-10 institutions, especially those of the University of Washington, University of Oregon, and Oregon State University and newspaper sports editors in reference to any close Washington State University athletic team loss not just games that are lost in the final minutes when a win was almost certain.

[edit] Examples

Football

In the 1975 Apple Cup, WSU led 27-14 with 3 minutes left in the game. WSU attempted a fourth-and-one conversion at the UW 14-yard line rather than a field goal. The resulting pass was intercepted by UW's Al Burleson and returned 93 yards for a touchdown. After a WSU three-and-out, Warren Moon's tipped pass was caught by Spider Gaines for a 78 yard TD reception and a dramatic 28-27 Washington win.

During four weeks of the 2000 season, WSU lost three games in overtime.

In the 2001 Apple Cup, competing for a BCS bowl-birth, WSU loses 26-14.

In the 2002 Apple Cup, #3 WSU was leading 20-10 with under 4 minutes left in the game, however the Washington Huskies rallied to force overtime and eventually win 29-26 in 3 OTs.

In 2003, WSU vs Notre Dame, which was trailing 19-6 entering the fourth quarter, rallied to defeat WSU 29-26 in OT by outscoring WSU 23-7 over the final periods.

In 2004, WSU gave up 27 fourth-quarter points in Pullman to Oregon in a 41-38 defeat.

In 2005, WSU vs Oregon State, WSU had a halftime lead of 30-16. With 6:50 left in the game WSU was still up 33-30, however Oregon State scored the final 14 points to win the game 44-33.

In 2005, WSU vs California, WSU up 38-35 until 1:50 was left on the clock at which time California scored a touchdown to win 42-38.

In 2005, WSU vs UCLA, WSU was up 38-31 with ten minutes left, UCLA went on to tie the game and take it to an overtime and win 44-41.

Men's Basketball

In 2004, WSU was leading #1, undefeated Stanford 61-56 with 25 seconds to play. However, a series of plays, including a four-point play by Stanford, a WSU turnover and a 3 point basket at the buzzer led Stanford to 63-61 victory.