Apple Cup Gameday
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 25, 2016
SERIES HISTORY
Friday’s game is the 109th meeting between Washington and Washington State since the series began in 1900. The Huskies hold a 70-32-6 edge, including a 38-15 record since the game was dubbed the Apple Cup in 1962. Washington has also been the dominant team in recent years, winning the past three contests and six of the past seven. The Huskies prevailed 45-10 in last year’s edition at Husky Stadium, however the Cougars were without starting quarterback Luke Falk in that game because of a head injury. The last time the game was played at Martin Stadium, Washington won 31-13 in 2014. The last time the Cougars won was in 2012 when WSU prevailed 31-28 in overtime in Pullman.
KEY MATCHUP
Cougars receiver Gabe Marks versus Huskies cornerback Sidney Jones.
This is about as premier a match-up as one gets at the college level.
Marks, Washington State’s star senior receiver, is about as decorated as a Pac-12 player can be. The 6-foot, 190-pounder from Venice, Calif., is the conference’s career leader in receptions with 301. Marks is the Cougar career record holder in receptions, receiving yards (3,314) and receiving touchdowns (36). He is a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection, and seems a good bet to make it three straight years when this year’s team is announced. This season he once again is Washington State’s top receiving target with 74 receptions for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns, all team highs. He’s expected to ply his trade on Sundays next year.
Jones, Washington’s junior shutdown cornerback, is almost as decorated as Marks. Like Marks, Jones is a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection, registering nine interceptions and 30 passes defensed over his three years. This season the 6-foot, 181-pounder from Diamond Bar, Calif., has rarely seen the ball thrown his direction, but still owns three picks and nine pass break-ups. Jones has progressed so much that there’s now talk that he may be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, should he choose to leave school early.
It’s not a given Marks and Jones will be matched up for the entirety of Friday’s game. However, the Huskies like to have Jones mark the opponent’s leading receiver when that receiver is a dangerous threat, and with WSU No. 2 option River Cracraft out injured there may be even more incentive for Washington to deploy Jones against Marks.
In last year’s Apple Cup it was Jones who had the upper hand of the two. Not only did Washington win the game comfortably, Jones helped hold Marks to just seven catches for 53 yards, and he had a crushing 69-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter that gave the Huskies a commanding 24-3 lead.
It should make for fascinating watching, and whichever player prevails in the one-on-one match-up will give his team a big advantage in the final outcome.
KEY NUMBER
23-10 The score the last time Washington and Washington State met in a game with this much on the line, which the Huskies won in 1981. Both teams entered the day with a chance at earning a spot in the Rose Bowl, which Washington did thanks to the victory and a UCLA loss to USC.
IMPORTANT INJURIES
Huskies — Washington is without two of its starting front seven on defense as junior inside linebacker Azeem Victor (leg) and senior defensive end Joe Mathis (foot) are both done for the season. Sophomore safety JoJo McIntosh (undisclosed) did not play in last week’s 44-18 home victory over Arizona State, but Huskies coach Chris Petersen said he thinks McIntosh will recover in time to play against the Cougars. Washington lost junior Darren Gardenhire, it’s No. 3 cornerback, this week as Gardenhire decided to transfer.
Cougars — Washington State is without its No. 2 aerial threat in senior receiver River Cracraft (knee), who was lost for the season. Last week the Cougars were without two starters on defense as junior weak-side linebacker Isaac Dotson (undisclosed) and junior rush linebacker Dylan Hanser (undisclosed) sat out the 38-24 loss at Colorado, and their status for this week’s game is unknown. However, the Cougars did get senior nose tackle Robert Barber back from a student-conduct-board suspension last week.
BREAK IT DOWN
The Huskies will win if they …
>>Receive a Heisman-caliber performance from quarterback Jake Browning. Browning, a sophomore, is considered one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy because of his efficiency — he’s thrown 37 touchdowns against just seven interceptions and ranks fourth in the FBS in passer rating at 180.7. Browning had a slip-up in the first quarter last week against Arizona State. However, if he plays the way he did in the last three quarters against the Sun Devils, Washington will be difficult to stop.
>>Find a pass rush. Washington has struggled mightily to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks since leading pass rusher Joe Mathis went down with his foot injury. The Huskies showed life last week against Arizona State, getting six sacks after managing just four total the previous four games. But was that real improvement, or was Washington just taking advantage of a team that’s struggled in pass protection all season? The Huskies can’t afford to let WSU’s Luke Falk have time to pick the defense apart.
>>Get some big plays from John Ross. Ross is Washington’s big-play receiver, as the junior has scored a team-high 16 touchdowns — 15 receiving, one kickoff. Ross’ blinding speed and ability to change direction on a dime makes him a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. One or two of those big plays would be certain to turn the tide.
The Cougars will win if they …
>>Receive a Unitas Award-caliber performance from quarterback Luke Falk. Falk, a junior, is one of the four finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback. Falk didn’t play in last year’s Apple Cup because of a head injury, and the Cougars lost big. But Falk being back this year gives WSU a legitimate shot, as he’a averaging 357.7 yards passing per game and has thrown 37 touchdowns in 11 outings.
>>Don’t forget about the run game. Washington State coach Mike Leach is famous for his “air raid” offense that puts a heavy emphasis on the passing game. However, the Cougars have been much more effective running the ball this season, with the trio of junior Jamal Morrow, freshman James Williams and junior Gerard Wicks combining for 1,542 yards and 6.3 yards per carry. Washington State must use its running backs and not become too infatuated with the pass.
Get a big game from safety Shalom Luani. Luani is Washington State’s playmaker on defense. The senior leads the team in interceptions with four, and he also has 8.5 tackles for loss, despite being a safety. If there’s anyone on the Cougars’ defense capable of making the type of play that changes a game, it’s Luani.
PICK
Cougars 31, Huskies 30
Prior to last week one could argue Washington State was playing better football than Washington, despite the Huskies being ranked significantly higher than the Cougars. WSU’s loss at Colorado causes some pause. But Washington State scored 125 points in its previous two games, both of which were at Martin Stadium, the site of Friday’s contest. In the most meaningful Apple Cup game in a generation, it could be that home-field advantage will prove decisive.
Nick Patterson, Herald Writer
