Sporting opposing team gear, Lauren Rice and Avery Kirkman, right, enjoy chatting together as Dutch Hill Elementary in Snohomish held an Apple Cup-themed Dads and Donuts event in advance of the 2018 matchup between Washington and Washington State. This year’s Apple Cup, scheduled for Friday, was canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak among WSU players, but it’s possible the annual rivalry contest could be rescheduled. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Sporting opposing team gear, Lauren Rice and Avery Kirkman, right, enjoy chatting together as Dutch Hill Elementary in Snohomish held an Apple Cup-themed Dads and Donuts event in advance of the 2018 matchup between Washington and Washington State. This year’s Apple Cup, scheduled for Friday, was canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak among WSU players, but it’s possible the annual rivalry contest could be rescheduled. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

POLL: Will the Apple Cup happen this year?

Friday’s football game between UW and WSU was called off, but there’s still hope of rescheduling.

On Sunday we received the news that both the University of Washington and Washington State University were dreading, but seemed inevitable.

Our annual post-Thanksgiving feast of the state’s greatest college football rivalry has been called off. At least for now.

The Apple Cup, the annual contest between the Huskies and Cougars which was scheduled for Friday, was canceled Sunday due to a coronavirus outbreak among Washington State players.

A statement released by the Pac-12 stated: “This decision was made under the Pac-12’s football policy due to Washington State not having the minimum number of scholarship players available for the game as a result of a number of positive football student-athlete COVID-19 cases and resulting isolation of additional football student-athletes under contract tracing protocols.” Teams must have 53 scholarship players available. As of Friday WSU said it had nine players in the COVID-19 protocol, which brought the Cougars below the threshold.

The outbreak, which according to the Spokane Spokesman-Review included Cougars starting quarterback Jayden de Laura, forced the cancellation of WSU’s game against Stanford, which was scheduled for this past Saturday. Since that announcement, which came last Friday, the state’s entire sporting community was on tenterhooks about the status of the Apple Cup. It didn’t take long for those fears to turn into reality.

This news is a huge disappointment for the state’s college football fans. In addition to being a great rivalry, the Apple Cup has been a hugely consequential game in recent years. The contests in 2016 and 2018 were winner-takes-all affairs, with the victor (Washington on both occasions) claiming the Pac-12 North championship, while the Huskies played spoiler in 2017 as their Apple Cup victory prevented the Cougars from winning the division title.

This year there was no telling how important the Apple Cup would have been in the bigger picture, since both teams have played just two games thus far. However, it contained perhaps an equal amount of intrigue as both teams, with new head coaches and new starting quarterbacks, are something of mysteries this year. And with both teams starting strong — a combined 3-1, with the loss being WSU’s valiant effort against ninth-ranked Oregon — the anticipation was growing.

It’s been a long time since the Apple Cup wasn’t played. That was in 1944, when World War II got in the way.

But all may not be lost. Even though the Pac-12’s late start meant there were no bye weeks built into the schedule, it’s still possible the schools could find a way to play. The weekend of Dec. 19, when this year’s Pac-12 Championship is scheduled, was set aside for teams not participating in the title game to play a seventh game. Therefore, if neither Washington nor Washington State is in the title game, they could face one another then. It’s also possible, though less likely, that both teams could have cancellations the same week but be available to play, providing the opportunity to schedule a replacement game against one another on short notice.

So what do you think? Will Washington and Washington State find a way to make the Apple Cup happen this year, despite Friday’s cancellation? Make your prediction here:

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

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.