In a game that looked so similar to past Apple Cups, the Washington Huskies beat Washington State, 31-13 – on a cold Friday afternoon at Husky Stadium.
“Nobody in that locker room has lost to the Cougars. I mean it’s just truth. That’s the way it is.” Senior center Nick Harris told reporters after the game. Harris showed media members his under shirt that read “We don’t lose to Cougs” with an x through the word “Cougs.”
Washington has won seven straight Apple Cups. Under Petersen, Washington is 6-0 against Washington State – having won all six games by at least 13 points.
And again the story of the Apple Cup was Washington’s defense. Washington State came into the game averaging 41.5 points per game. The Huskies held WSU to just 13 points. The Cougars managed just 4.1 yards per play. And the Huskies forced three turnovers to go along with five sacks.
“It’s not about yards, it’s about points,” head coach Coach Chris Petersen said about his defense holding WSU to 13 points.”We got some turnovers in some real timely situations.”
The game didn’t start off like it had the making of an easy win for Washington. Washington State received the opening kickoff and marched right down the field. Max Borghi’s one-yard TD run capped off a 13-play, 81-yard TD drive to open the game. But Washington State would manage just six points the rest of the game.
Washington’s offense had a nice bounce back game. Quarterback Jacob Eason took advantage of Washington State’s gameplan to stack the box and make UW beat them through the air. Eason completed 15-of-22 passes, for 244 yards, and a TD.
Eason was able to find his future NFL tight ends Hunter Bryant and Cade Otton throughout the game. Hunter Bryant caught six passes for 96 yards. Otton caught three passes for 46 yards.
Wide Receiver Terrell Bynum also had a nice game – catching three passes for 77 yards and a 16-yard TD.
Richard Newton scored two short touchdowns on the ground.
Meanwhile, WSU quarterback Anthony Gordon had 62 passing attempts, for 308 yards, two interceptions, and no touchdowns.
Play of the game
After being down by two scores for most of the second half, WSU was knocking on the door early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to a one score game. But true freshman Trent McDuffie forced a fumble on WSU wide receiver Deon McIntosh at UW’s 10-yard line. Had the play not been blown dead, Myles Bryant might have had a scoop-and-score.
Player of the game
Defensive back Elijah Molden had himself a game. Molden had 14 tackles, one interception, and a tackle for loss. The junior was everywhere.
Looking ahead
Washington finishes the season with a 7-5 record and will now wait for a bowl announcement. The Huskies likely won’t know what bowl they are playing in until Sunday, December, 8th.
