Washington Huskies cornerback Thaddeus Dixon reacts after a play against Eastern Michigan at Husky Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Josie Sandquist / Washington Athletics)

Washington Huskies cornerback Thaddeus Dixon reacts after a play against Eastern Michigan at Husky Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Josie Sandquist / Washington Athletics)

UW and WSU to play in new college football world Apple Cup

Huskies and Cougars, no longer conference foes, will play a neutral site game at Lumen on Saturday.

Here is a first look at Washington State’s neutral-site game against rival Washington this weekend in Seattle.

What is it?

In the first nonconference Apple Cup, WSU and UW will meet again, this time in a neutral-site capacity.

Where is it?

Lumen Field in Seattle.

When is it?

Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.

Where can I watch it?

Peacock will stream the game.

Who is favored?

Washington was about a four-point favorite in most sportsbooks as of Monday morning.

How did the Cougars fare last week?

In a 37-16 home win over Texas Tech, WSU quarterback John Mateer shattered the program record for single-game rushing yards by a QB, totaling 197 on the night. That helped the Cougars rack up 301 as a team, just the sixth time in nearly a quarter century the team has eclipsed that mark, and the hosts never really faced any trouble putting this one away.

WSU’s defense also recorded four takeaways: Two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a recovery of a muffed opening kickoff, which paved the way for Mateer’s short rushing touchdown, good for an early 7-0 lead.

Texas Tech countered with a field goal, but that’s about when WSU began to run away with things. True freshman running back Wayshawn Parker broke free for a 43-yard touchdown rush, and power back Djouvensky Schlenbaker followed with a short scoring plunge, made possible by WSU linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah’s forced fumble, recovery and ensuing return, all the way down to the Red Raiders’ 2-yard line.

That set the tone for the Cougs’ defense, which quieted a Red Raiders offense that had put up 52 points the week prior. The hosts got interceptions from redshirt freshman cornerback Ethan O’Connor and senior nickelback Kapena Gushiken, the latter of whom snared a fluttering pass caused by edge rusher Quinn Roff’s hit on Tech quarterback Behren Morton.

If WSU ran into any trouble, it came in two areas: tackling and special teams. The Cougs missed 19 tackles, which comes a week after missing 17 in a win over FCS Portland State. Al-Uqdah whiffed on three tackles, and four Cougars missed two apiece: defensive tackle Khalil Laufau, linebacker Kyle Thornton and safeties Tanner Moku and Tyson Durant, the latter of whom also broke up two fourth-down passes.

“That’s the Tyson Durant I saw from the day he showed up all the way through fall camp,” WSU coach Jake Dickert said. “Really proud of him. Whether it was nerves or excitement the first game, whatever it was, he took hard coaching and he learned and got better. And I thought that’s what you saw in that film, and we will need him to keep developing, but that was a big step in the right direction, and he quarterbacked our defense against a really tough offense.”

On the special teams front, it’s becoming clear how much WSU is missing punter Nick Haberer, whose back injury has now held him out of each of the first two games of the season. He’s also the holder on field goals and extra points, prompting Mateer to take his place in that role, and kicker Dean Janikowski missed an extra point in this one. Janikowski is also taking over the punting duties, booting five on Saturday for an average of 42.2 yards per punt.

Scouting Washington …

New Big Ten member UW has opened the season with wins over FCS Weber State and FBS Eastern Michigan, topping the Wildcats 35-3 and the Eagles 30-9. Under first-year coach Jedd Fisch and transfer quarterback Will Rogers, who came over from Mississippi State, the Huskies haven’t had much trouble dispatching the first two opponents on their schedule.

There are lots of unknowns surrounding Washington’s team, though. The Huskies lost many of the players that keyed their run to last year’s national title game, including offensive pieces like QB Michael Penix Jr., receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Germie Bernard, plus their entire starting offensive line. Defenders like edge Bralen Trice, DB Jabar Muhammad and linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio have also departed.

Add in the fact that UW hasn’t yet been tested and you get lots of question marks.

“I think this is one of the most physical front sevens that I’ve seen in a while,” Dickert said. “I think their defensive backs have been up to every challenge. They’re yet to give up a touchdown. So obviously our guys will be really excited to play. I think they know what’s on the line. It’s an opportunity to be 1-0, and to get the Apple Cup back in Pullman is a big deal.”

The Huskies have also found themselves on the wrong ends of slow starts in their first two games. In Week 1, UW and Weber State were scoreless after one quarter, and in Week 2, Eastern Michigan took a 3-0 lead after one frame.

But the Huskies got going both times, thanks in part to running back Jonah Coleman, who Fisch brought over from Arizona. He posted 104 yards on 11 carries in Week 1 and 127 yards on 16 carries in Week 2, kickstarting UW’s offense on the ground.

What happened last time?

Washington walked it off with a game-winning field goal in last year’s Apple Cup, securing a 24-21 win over WSU. That was set up by the Huskies’ fourth-and-1 conversion deep in their own territory in the fourth quarter, a long run by Odunze.

The Cougs tied it up in the fourth frame on a touchdown pass from former QB Cam Ward to former receiver Lincoln Victor, and after forcing a punt on the Huskies’ next series, they could have taken the lead. But Ward couldn’t connect on third-and-long and WSU had to punt.

In that one, Ward completed 32 of 48 passes for 317 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens junior outside hitter Laura Eichert hits the ball over the net for a kill in the Wesco 4A title game against Glacier Peak in Snohomish, Wash., on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. The Vikings won in four sets, 3-1. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Lake Stevens volleyball claims Wesco 4A title

The Vikings get revenge over GP and down the Grizzlies, 3-1.

Lake Stevens’ Keagan Howard raises the ball in the air in celebration after running into the end zone for a touchdown during the game against Arlington on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington, GP, Lake will host playoff football games

Monroe and Archbishop Murphy will also play home Round of 32 games.

Members of the Arlington High School boys cross country team pose for a photo at the District 1/2 Cross Country Championships at Lakewood High School in Arlington, Wash., on Nov. 2, 2024. The Eagles won the 4A team title. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Teams, runners crowned at District 1/2 XC Championships

Arlington and Shorewood boys, Shorecrest girls teams lift trophies.

Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), a bright spot in the Seattle’s 26-20 loss to the Rams, runs after a catch at Lumen Field on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks make big plays, big mistakes in OT loss

Seattle unable to overcome turnovers and one big defensive lapse against LA Rams.

Archbishop Murphy sophomore setter/pin hitter Teuila Halalilo prepares to hit the ball in a Wesco 3A/2A South matchup against Edmonds-Woodway in Everett, Wash., on Oct. 9, 2024. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Prep volleyball roundup for Monday, Nov. 4

Wildcats win, will play for district volleyball title.

Arlington’s Kaid Hunter makes a catch and runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the game against Lake Stevens on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington upsets Lake Stevens, 28-14

Eagles claim share of Wesco 4A title by taking down the two-time defending state champs.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, Nov. 2

Lake Stevens girls soccer punches ticket to state

Marysville Pilchuck’s Christian Van Natta lifts the ball in the air to celebrate a turnover during the game against Marysville Getchell on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep football roundup for Friday, Nov. 1

Glacier Peak grabs piece of Wesco 4A football title.

Mountlake Terrace players run toward each other to celebrate after scoring a goal during the 3A district game against Stanwood on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hawks escape Spartans 2-1 in district play-in game

Claire August nets two goals, MLT advances to quarterfinals.

Stanwood's Michael Mascotti relays the next play to his teammates during football practice on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Experts make their Week 9 predictions

Our trio takes a crack at picking the winners for this week’s gridiron games.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, Oct. 31

Everett, Shorecrest win district playoff openers

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith talk to teammates in the locker room at Lumen Field prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Smith says he needs to ‘do a better job’ leading when losing

The Seahawks quarterback hopes to control emotions when the team struggles.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.