Huskies enjoy role of Pac-12 spoiler
It’s a sour Apple Cup for Cougars, who miss a shot at title game.
Myles Gaskin ran for 192 yards and four touchdowns, Washington forced four turnovers, and the No. 17 Huskies ended No. 13 Washington State’s hopes for a Pac-12 North title with a 41-14 thumping Saturday night at Seattle.
The Apple Cup remained decorated in purple for the fifth straight year thanks to a thorough domination by Washington that was punctuated by Gaskin’s runs and a suffocating defense that made the night miserable for Luke Falk in his final regular-season game.
It was a major flop for Washington State, needing only a victory to win its first Pac-12 North title and earn a spot in the conference title game Friday against USC. Washing ton State had memorable Apple Cup wins over the Huskies in 1997 and 2007 in Seattle. This is one the Cougars would like to immediately forget.
Falk, the Pac-12 recordholder in a number of passing categories, threw three interceptions and had a costly fumble. He was under pressure all night as Vita Vea and the rest of defensive front was able to get pressure while rushing only three defenders and closed off gaps in the secondary. Falk completed 37 of 55 passes for 369 yards and a late touchdown to Tay Martin, helping continue coach Mike Leach’s streak of never being shut out.
at Oregon 69, Oregon State 10: Royce Freeman set a Pac-12 record for career rushing touchdowns while running for 122 yards and two scores as the Ducks turned the 121st Civil War game into a rout.
Freeman has 60 touchdowns, surpassing Oregon State’s Ken Simonton, who ran for 59 touchdowns between 1998-01.
Justin Herbert, in his second game back from a broken collarbone that sidelined him for five games, threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns for the Ducks (7-5, 4-5). Herbert also rushed for a touchdown before sitting late in the third quarter. at Arizona State 42, Arizona 30: ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns, Manny Wilkins threw for three more scores, and the Sun Devils may have saved coach Todd Graham’s job with a win in the rivalry game.
Arizona State trailed by 10 at the half, but once Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate went out with a left shoulder injury, it all changed. The Sun Devils turned a blocked punt and an interception into two quick scores to snatch the lead, and Richard made it 35-24 with a six-yard touchdown run.
Tate threw for 132 yards and scored on a one-yard run in the first half, but was injured on a Hail Mary the last play.
at Utah 34, Colorado 13: Zack Moss rushed for 196 yards and two touchdowns and the Utes built a 28-0 halftime lead to cruise past the Buffaloes and become bowleligible with their sixth win.