Washington Huskies: Chris Petersen Discusses Injuries and Apple Cup

Head Coach Chris Petersen provides an injury update and talks about the Washington Huskies’ Apple Cup win last year

With the Apple Cup just one day away, the excitement level for the Washington Huskies and their fans is nearing boiling point. This will arguably be their most important clash with the Cougars in the last 10 years.

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Certainly, the stakes are high for a Huskies team, which needs a win to help secure a bowl berth. As such, Chris Petersen’s final media availability ahead of Friday, had even more scrutiny than usual.

This included looking for an injury update on running back Dwayne Washington (leg) and linebacker Travis Feeney (shoulder). Washington – who missed the Oregon State game – has nearly 600 yards from scrimmage this season, while Feeney has been a key component of the Huskies defense, with seven sacks and 50 tackles.

As reported by Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Petersen said: “Everybody’s day-to-day now. What have we got? Two days? So they’re day-to-day and we’ll see in two days.”

The 51-year old is only in his second year in charge of Washington. However, he has already endeared himself to the Huskies faithful, in large part due to last season’s Apple Cup win over the Cougars.

Petersen was asked about the dominating 31-13 victory: “I think the number one thing that jumps in my mind — I don’t think I’ve been colder in my entire life.

Nov 29, 2014; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen accepts the Apple Cup Trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium. Huskies won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

“I don’t know if any of the players had ever been in a game where it was that cold, and they just went out and played. And they played really, really well. That was encouraging to see.”

The former Boise State coach is well aware of what the Huskies rivalry with the Cougars means to the players: “There’s definitely a different energy (in practice this week).

“We need to make sure we show up and play our best in that game with our best focus, our best energy, and not have left it on the practice field. So I think these guys had a nice balance of focusing in and in a couple days it’s time to go play with the most focused we’ve been and the most energy as we’ve had.”

Despite what’s at stake this week, Petersen still realizes it’s important for the players to spend time with their families for Thanksgiving: “We have a lot of families rolling in right now.

“After practice (Thursday morning) we’ll have some Thanksgiving late brunch with them and then we go to the hotel with them later on…So they’ll definitely get their time and I think everybody’s excited about people rolling in.”

Next: Chris Petersen never doubted his players

Finally, the two-time Paul “Bear” Bryant award winner was asked about some of the comments made this week by Washington State players: “I don’t really think any of that stuff really matters because everyone understands how important this game is anyway.

“I don’t think it’s going to be anything like getting either team excited to play. It’s probably (more about) getting teams to focus in and play with precision and those types of things.”