By Khalid Bennett
The Seattle Medium
The in-state rivalry between the University of Washington and Washington State University has gone on for over a century. The two schools would meet up once again on Friday for the 112thtime in the annual Apple Cup game for football supremacy in the state of Washington. Both teams came into the game with an identical 6-5 record, well below the expectations of both programs. Washington came into the game after suffering tough loss on the road to Colorado, while Washington State came back from being down 11 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Oregon State. With both teams already bowl eligible and no conference title appearance on the line, this game was more about pride and bragging rights than anything else.
The Cougars showcased their high-flying offense on the opening drive of the game moving the ball seamlessly down the field 81 yards in 13 plays with sophomore running back Max Borghi scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. Washington’s offense would continue to struggle as they have in their last two games early in the first quarter before finally getting into a rhythm with a 71-yard drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jacob Eason tying the game at 7-7.
Washington State strung out a long drive that ended with a field goal, but UW defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and the Husky defense started to crack the code of the Cougar air raid offense.
The Husky offense started to move the ball as efficiently as they did earlier in the season. Eason was able to complete big plays down the field to tight end Hunter Bryant, as well as an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Tyrell Bynum to give the Huskies a 14-10 lead.
The Washington defense was relentless. Sophomore linebacker Joe Tryon and junior linebacker Ryan Bowman recorded back to back sacks, forcing the Cougars to punt out of their own endzone. The Huskies were able to capitalize off the good field position and go 47 yards in 7 plays on their next drive as freshman running back Richard Newton finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to increase the Husky lead to 21-10 at halftime.
The Husky defense continued to dominate in the second half by keeping the Cougars from going down the field with their passing game. The strategy implemented by the Husky defense was to rush three, and drop back eight with Lake occasionally dialing up a blitz to bring an extra pass rusher to put pressure on WSU quarterback Anthony Gordon. Gordon was only able to complete short passes underneath in which the Washington defense, led by junior defensive back Elijah Molden, were able to snuff out. Molden finished the game with 12 tackles and one interception.
The Husky offense kept their momentum from the first half and was able to find the end zone again on the first drive of the third quarter, as Washington capitalized off of two defensive penalties that set up a 2-yard touchdown for Newton, his second of the day.
WSU managed a field goal on the ensuing drive, but that would be the last time the Cougars would get on the board as the Husky defense forced two more turnovers. A promising drive into Washington territory resulted in a fumble by WSU receiver Deon McIntosh that was recovered by the Huskies’ Myles Bryant. Gordon then threw his second interception of the day to freshman defensive back Trent McDuffie who had caused the previous fumble.
Washington added a field goal to seal it as they picked up their 7thstraight Apple Cup victory, with a 31-13 over WSU. Washington finished the regular season with a 7-5 record. With that win, the Husky seniors became the winningest senior class with 39 victories, and a chance for 40 if they are able to win their bowl match-up.
Pictorial Highlights of the UW Huskies vs WSU Cougars
Photos by Aaron Allen
