Anthony Gordon threw for 308 yards in his only Apple Cup start, but was unable to really capitalize in the red zone as the Huskies dominated the Cougs 31-13. The Huskies came into this Apple Cup controlling the past 6 matchups, and were looking to do more of the same against Mike Leach. Leach has been adamant about not changing his system or adjusting to the Husky defense. Coming into this game, the Cougs were starting to find their groove, where the Huskies have come off the most disappointing loss in recent memory.
WSU received the opening kickoff and Gordon went to work. The Huskies started out in man coverage, but adjusted to zone periodically in the first drive to throw a wrinkle in. The Cougs used quick passing and picked apart the Husky defense with screen passes and slants. With a heavy dose of Max Borghi, the Cougs took an early 7-0 lead after a 1-yard Borghi run. The Cougs haven’t had a 1st quarter touchdown since 2012, which was Leach’s first season with Wazzu.
Wazzu forced the dawgs to a 3 and out on their first possession and were looking to take 2 score lead but were forced to punt. The next Husky possession, UW quarterback Jacob Eason completed a 57 yard pass to Terrell Bynum to bring the Huskies to the Cougar 12 yard line. A couple of plays later Eason ran the ball up the middle of the Cougar line into end zone to tie the game at 7.
Next possession, the Cougs were threatening again. On 2nd and goal from the 3 yard line of UW, Gordon’s pass to Renard Bell was dropped in the end zone and the Cougs were forced to settle for a field goal. Jacob Eason seemed to had find his groove in the 2nd quarter. Eason used a steady dose of passes and drove the Huskies right down the field in 10 plays ending in a over the shoulder touchdown completion to Terrell Bynum from 16 yards out to put the Dawgs up 14-10. Their next possession saw Eason march the huskies down the field again, this time in 7 plays, ending in a Richard Newton 1-yard touchdown run to put the Huskies up 21-10 heading into the locker room.
To begin the second half, Washington continued to move. Eason connected with Hunter Bryant for a 39- yard completion down to the Cougar 6-yard line. Newton completed the mission from 2-yards out to put the Huskies up for good and close the door on the 2019 Apple Cup early in the 3rd quarter.
After their first 3 possessions, the Cougs offense was once again stymied by the Husky defense of Jimmy Lake. This makes the seventh straight Apple Cup the Cougars have lost. The record streak in the Apple Cup is eight, so next year could tie that streak. Surprising, knowing that this is the best Cougar stretch in their history. For some reason, they just cannot seem to get over the hump against UW. The games aren’t competitive for the most part which is not something Coug fans think should happen knowing they have the best offense in the Country.
The Cougs are bowl eligible and look to be aligned with the
Las Vegas Bowl on December 21st.
