Apple Cup 2014: It’s A UW World And We’re All Just Living In It
Late November is a pretty wonderful time of year. The lowland Pacific Northwest usually starts getting snowed on around this time, and it’s the kind of snow that still comes with novelty and wonder attached. Thanksgiving happens, and Thanksgiving is a spectacular feast of a holiday. Oh yeah, and the Apple Cup. The Apple Cup happens, too.
Yesterday at snowy Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington, the University of Washington Huskies and Washington State University Cougars football teams met for their annual showdown. It was a particularly icy affair, given the current state of WSU’s campus. But the uncomfortable conditions were hardly the least of the Cougars’ concerns.
In the end, it was the mismatch that it was expected to be, with visiting UW picking up a 31-13 victory over their less-talented hosts. UW pretty clearly has a better squad this year, so this was absolutely the most likely outcome. But while the final score does indeed indicate an 18-point win, it doesn’t really do the blowout justice.
UW totalled 437 yards of offense, highlighted by Dwayne Washington rushing for over 100 yards for the third week in a row. His 135 yards on sixteen carries even included two touchdowns, as he essentially beat the Cougars on his own. His 51-yard touchdown run in the first quarter set the tone early.
Cyler Miles was 25 for 39 passing, but overcame his own inefficiency en route to 249 yards and a pair of touchdown tosses. But whatever struggles Miles may have had were overshadowed by the toss-it-away adventures of his WSU counterpart, Luke Falk, who finished 27 for 35. When Falk connected he really connected, totalling 355 yards with a pair of touchdowns himself. But he was also picked off twice, and the Cougs ended the game with a failed two-point conversion.
Despite WSU putting up big yards, it was a blowout loss for the home team. UW was in control from the get-go, and ended up cruising to coach Chris Petersen‘s 100th career victory. Congrats, Chris. The Huskies are now 8-5 and positioned nicely for a bowl game. WSU is 3-9 and… not… positioned nicely for much of anything, except getting snowed on some more.
Even a lopsided final score couldn’t stop this one from being a good time, as Apple Cups tend to be. UW walked away with it’s fifth win over WSU in the last six years, as their run as the best collegiate Washington football team continues. Better luck next year, Cougs!