With this Apple Cup, more than pride on line for Huskies, Cougars
Located inside the Washington State football complex is a glass enclosure where, when it’s in the possession of the crimson and gray, the Apple Cup trophy resides.
It has been five years since Washington State won the trophy, and reclaiming ownership Friday when the No. 7 Cougars (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12) host No. 16 Washington (8-3, 6-2) would add a chapter to a season unlike any in the Cougars’ history.
“None of the past five years has a great deal to do with right now,” Washington State head coach Mike Leach said. “I’m not terribly focused on that.”
A year that began with tragedy could end with unexpected triumph if the Cougars can end their five-game skid. The winner will play next Friday in the Pac-12 championship game against Utah as the North Division champ, and for the Cougars, there remains the outside possibility of landing in the College Football Playoff with two more wins and a lot of chaos.
Washington State even being mentioned in the CFP conversation is astonishing. The season has provided joy and excitement to a program shrouded in sadness less than a year after the death of quarterback Tyler Hilinski.
“I don’t think there are too many people that have not been impressed with what he’s done over there because they have been through a lot,” Washington head coach Chris Petersen said of Leach. “It’s impressive.”
Gardner Minshew is a big reason the Cougars — who were picked to finish fifth in the Pac-12 North — have a chance to land in the conference-title game. The graduate transfer from East Carolina has mastered most of Leach’s offense in just a few months on campus while becoming the national leader in passing.
One of three charter buses carrying members of the University of Washington marching band to Pullman for the Apple Cup at Washington State rolled onto its side in icy conditions Thursday on Interstate 90, the Washington State Patrol said.
No serious injuries were reported from the accident that was called in to authorities at 5:26 p.m. near George. A total of 25 students were treated for injuries that were not serious or life-threatening, police said. The bus carried 56 people.
Thursday’s games
#22 Mississippi State 35, Mississippi 3: Nick Fitzgerald ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score as the visiting Bulldogs (8-4, 4-4 SEC) beat the Rebels (5-7, 1-7) in an Egg Bowl marred by a fight in the second half that led to four ejections.
Mississippi State looked as though it would cruise to a fairly uneventful win before Mississippi receiver A.J. Brown appeared to score a touchdown at the end of the third quarter. Players immediately started shoving, and the fight spilled into the end zone while both benches emptied onto the field.
Brown’s touchdown was called back because time had expired in the third quarter before the play began. Air Force 27, Colorado State 19: Cole Fagan carried 34 times for 260 yards and linebacker Kyle Floyd thwarted a late drive with an interception as the host Falcons (5-7, 3-5 Mountain West) defeated the Rams (3-9, 2-6).