It doesn’t get any bigger than Friday’s Apple Cup football game between the University of Washington and Washington State University.
Or does it?
So much is on the line when the Huskies and Cougars square off Friday afternoon at Martin Stadium in Pullman. This year’s Apple Cup is a winner-takes-all affair, with the victor receiving a trip to the Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 2 in Santa Clara, California.
But where does Friday’s game compare to other games between UW and WSU in terms of importance? Here’s one look at the 10 most consequential games between the schools since they first took the field against one another in 1900:
10) 2008 — The “Crapple Cup”
This is more of a dishonorable mention. While the rest of the games on this list had positive consequences, this one had negative ones: Which was the worst team in the Pac-10, and probably the entire country? Washington came into the game 0-11, Washington State came in 1-10, and both spent the season getting stomped. While these teams may not have been any good, at least they were competitive with one another, with the game going into overtime at Martin Stadium before Nico Grasu’s 37-yard field goal in the second OT won it for the Cougars 16-13.
9) 2001 — High rankers collide
Never before had the two teams come into the game with a better combined ranking. Washington State was ranked ninth in the nation, Washington 16th. The Cougars still had a shot at the Rose Bowl, but needed help. However, Washington State couldn’t do its part at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Washington receiver Reggie Williams had a huge day, catching 11 passes for 203 yards, and the high-octane Cougar offense was never able to get going as the Huskies prevailed 26-14.
8) 2003 — Late game heroics
This was supposed to be a Cougar coronation at Husky Stadium, with Washington State set to reach double-digit victories in three straight years for the first time in school history, while handing Washington its first losing season in 27 years in the process. But quarterback Cody Pickett led a late Huskies touchdown drive that gave Washington the lead with 1:10 remaining, then Marquis Cooper sealed it with an interception returned for a TD as the Huskies prevailed 27-19.
7) 1982 — The upset of upsets
Washington was on the verge of its third straight trip to the Rose Bowl, a feat the Huskies had never accomplished in school history. Surely the lowly Cougars, who came into the game 2-7-1, would provide little resistance, even with the game being played in Pullman for the first time in 32 years — WSU had played its home games against UW in Spokane since 1950. What followed was the greatest upset in series history. Huskies kicker Chuck Nelson, who hadn’t missed a field goal all season, missed a 32-yarder that would have given Washington the lead late in the game, and the Cougs went on to win 24-20.
6) 1991 — On to the national championship
This game was only significant to one side, but oh how significant it was. Washington was undefeated, and the national championship was within the Huskies’ grasp. Washington State, in the midst of a losing season, surprisingly stayed with Washington early in the game at Husky Stadium. But the greatest of Husky teams eventually proved its dominance, pulling away for a 56-21 victory. Washington would eventually defeat Michigan in the Rose Bowl to finish 12-0 and share the national title with Miami.
5) 2002 — The controversial call
Washington State was the big favorite, being ranked No. 3 in the nation. But Washington rallied in the second half to force the game into overtime. Then in the third overtime came the call. Washington State quarterback Matt Kegel, in for the injured Jason Gesser, had his attempted screen pass batted by Kai Ellis. The officials controversially ruled it a backward pass with Washington recovering, ending the game with the Huskies winning 29-26. The fans in Pullman reacted by pelting the field with bottles, though the Cougars still earned a trip to the Rose Bowl.
4) 1936 — Winner takes all
This was the only time in series history — it even predated the Apple Cup as the game was for the Governor’s Trophy in those days — which was a true winner-takes-all game for the Rose Bowl. Washington came into the game 6-1-1 and ranked sixth in the nation, Washington State entered the game 6-2-1 and ranked 20th. Whichever team won was headed to the Rose Bowl. However, the game turned out to be no contest. Washington routed Washington State 40-0 in Seattle to book its trip to Pasadena.
3) 1992 — The “Snow Bowl”
The Huskies were coming off a share of the national title, and Washington still had outside thoughts of getting back in the national championship picture, despite losing to Arizona two weeks earlier. However, the Huskies were unable to adapt to the snow in Pullman. Washington State was having a good season of its own, and quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw over and around the vaunted Washington defense en route to a 42-23 victory. The loss didn’t prevent the Huskies from going to the Rose Bowl, but it did signal the end of Washington’s reign as a national powerhouse.
2) 1997 — Cougs finally smell the roses
It had been 67 years since Washington State had last earned a trip to the Rose Bowl. Both teams were bowl bound, but this one meant so much more to the Cougars. The Huskies, playing at home, hung close with Washington State throughout. But led by quarterback Ryan Leaf the Cougars hung on for a 41-35 victory that was cathartic for Washington State fans. It was the rare game after which some Huskies fans were satisfied with the outcome, despite their team losing to their cross-state rivals.
1) 1981 — It all comes down to this
Never has an Apple Cup had more on the line. Both teams had the Rose Bowl in their sights. Washington State would head to the Rose Bowl with a win for its first trip to Pasadena in 50 years. Washington could get to its second straight Rose Bowl, something the school hadn’t done since 1959-60, with a win and some help. The Cougars controlled the game early in Seattle, but suffered a huge blow when quarterback Clete Casper left injured in the second quarter. That was the opening the Huskies needed as they went on to win 23-10, and when USC upset UCLA, it was Washington heading to Pasadena.
For more on the Seattle sports scene, check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at www.heraldnet.com/tag/seattle-sidelines, or follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
