Despite the late-season swoon that only a Washington State football team could muster, the Cougars were not completely shut out from the bowl picture.

Mascot Butch T. Cougar won the Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge, solidifying his place among mascots’ elite and proving that Cougar fans remain loyal even when their teams struggle on the field.

“Coug fans are by the far the best in the nation,” said ASWSU president and former “Butch” Zach Wurtz. “[They] rally behind any Coug.” Twelve mascots participated as fans from across the nation voted on www.capitalonebowl.com during the fall semester. Each week, the 12 mascots matched up with a different opponent in a one-on-one vote-off. The six mascots with the top overall records moved on to the playoffs.

Butch joined Auburn’s Aubie, Georgia Tech’s Buzz and Tennessee’s Smokey as the four returnees from 2005’s Mascot Challenge. Defending champion Herby Husker from Nebraska did not return to defend his title.

It was a stunning turnaround for Butch, who failed to make the playoffs last season. Butch finished dead last in 2005, with a 4-7 record that mirrored the football team’s identical record.

Butch went 5-6 this fall to sneak into the playoffs. Despite entering the six-team playoffs as the No. 6 seed, Cougars fans banded together behind Butch as he defeated Aubie in the first round before upsetting top-seeded Mr. Wuf from North Carolina State in the semifinals. Butch then defeated Maryland’s Testudo in the finals.

“This was one of the most closely watched and fiercely fought competitions to date,” said Steve Schooff of Capital One in a press release. “This contest was designed to recognize the unsung heroes of college football, so we’re thrilled to see so many fans get behind their mascots.” The anonymity in which mascots toil can make it difficult for them to gain exposure outside their respective campuses. The Mascot Challenge propels them into the national spotlight and honors their hard work and dedication.

“It really is [exciting], because we don’t really have any sort of competition,” said Wurtz, who was unveiled as Butch in 2005. “It’s an honor to be part of a program that pulled it off. [It honors] the unknown soldiers that [mascots] are.” In addition to the national exposure, WSU will receive $10,000 for the school mascot program.