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Washington Huskies @ Washington State Cougars Football Recap

Quarterback Jake Locker grabbed the headlines once again as the Huskies held on to beat the Cougars in the 103 rd Apple Cup Saturday 35-28 to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2002.

After two critical turnovers that included an interception in the end zone on a second and goal (which resulted in seven points for the Cougars) and an fumble at the start of the fourth quarter that would cause the Huskies to blow their 28-14 lead, Locker, with the help of his running back Chris Polk and wide-receiver Jermaine Kearse, led his team to victory.

Following a fourth quarter fumble in the red zone, the Huskies would not threaten the goal like again until just under five minutes to play in the game when locker again used his legs to keep the Dawgs fighting.

Converting on a second and eight, with a ten-yard run down the sideline, Locker got things rolling for a nine play 88 yard drive and the go ahead touchdown for Washington.

After inundating the Cougar defensive line with a series of drives that was all Polk all the time, which saw three carries for 40 yards, the Huskies ran their way into Washington State territory and another necessary Locker run.

This time, the five yard gain by the talented quarterback set up for another Washington all-or-nothing fourth and one at the Washington State 31 yard line (UW beat the Cal Bears a week prior on a go-ahead fourth and one TD rush from Polk). Polk would take a hand off from Locker for a 15 yard gain and the Washington first down.

Locker would hand the ball off again to Polk for another four yards—the sophomore running back would finish the night with 284 of the Huskies 310 rushing yards.

Wide-receiver Jermaine Kearse would be the next hero of the night for Washington. Fans, on the edge of their seats as the Washington offense opted for a pass play to convert on a first and 21 from the Cougar 27. With teeth chattering and hearts racing, the Husky fans in Martin Stadium watched as Locker connected with Kearse for a 27-yard touchdown and the coveted Apple Cup Trophy.

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Washington State had one final chance to tie or take the lead, unfortunately, Cougar quarterback Jeff Tuel watched his season end with a Washington interception by safety Nate Williams at the WSU 30 on an attempt to convert on fourth and 15.

For fans of football in the State of Washington, has been a tale of two dreadful teams trying to cling to any hope of a good performance. This year ended that. The Huskies defense matched perfectly with the passing game of the Cougar.

Tuel who passed for three touchdowns and 298 yards on the afternoon gave fans some assurance that despite a 2-10 record there is life in this Cougar offense. Daniel Blackledge had seven carries for 132 yards and a proved he is a threat on the sidelines.  

And while both Washington programs are clearly rebuilding only one has become bowl eligible.

After losing three in a row, the mediocre Washington Huskies were able to rally in the final games of their season and will now have the next few weeks to prepare for a trip to sunny San Diego, Calif., for a rematch against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Hopefully for Husky fans that have waited eight long years to see their Dawgs in a bowl game, things will go better than they did in September when the Huskies and the Huskers faced off in the regular season.

By Ganelle Swehla
DFN Sports Staff Writer