Snow Dawgs: Washington topples archrival

PULLMAN, WASH. » Myles Gaskin broke free for an 80yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, and No. 16 Washington won its second Pac-12 North Division title in three years, beating No. 7 Washington State, 28-15, on a snowy night.

On a blustery cold night with snow falling and blanketing the turf at Martin Stadium, Gaskin found enough traction to carry the Huskies into the Pac-12 title game and ruin yet again the title hopes of Washington State. It was Washington’s sixth straight win over the Cougars and the third straight year the Huskies denied Washington State the North crown. Gaskin rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns, a year after running for 192 yards and four scores against the Cougars.

He was the best player on the field on a night Washington needed its senior ball carrier to be just that. The Huskies (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) will face Utah in the conference title game next Friday in Santa Clara, California. The winner will earn a spot in the Rose Bowl.

Washington State (10-2, 7-2) carried the Pac-12’s last remaining hope of finding a way into the College Football Playoff, but the Air Raid was mostly grounded by a combo of blowing snow and Washington’s sticky secondary. Gardner Minshew was 26 of 35 for 152 yards, but his longest pass to a wide receiver went for 11 yards. James Williams rushed for two touchdowns and the Cougars trailed 20-15 going to the fourth quarter, the first time since 2008 the game had been within five points going to the final quarter.

Gaskin made sure that didn’t last long. Facing third-and-1 at the Washington as close as Washington State would get.

The takeaway

WASHINGTON » The Huskies rushed for 258 yards in the snow and have 533 yards rushing in the past two games. WASHINGTON STATE » The Cougars have struggled with Washington’s pass defense in recent years and the slick conditions made it even more challenging. No Washington State wide receiver had more than four catches.

Washington band

The Washington band did not perform, a day after one of its three charter buses rolled onto its side while traveling from Seattle. The Washington State band performed the Washington fight song “Bow Down to Washington” during a pregame performance. The section of Martin Stadium where the Washington band would have sat was roped off and left empty. The bus crashed Thursday evening on an icy stretch of Interstate 90 in central Washington. Of the 56 people on board, 47 were taken to hospitals for evaluation or treatment

Up next

WASHINGTON » The Huskies will face Utah in the Pac-12 title game next Friday. WASHINGTON STATE » The Cougars will await their bowl announcement but still may have an outside chance at a New Year’s Six bowl game.