UW secures Boeing Apple Cup victory over WSU

SEATTLE — The University of Washington Huskies hosted the Washington State University in a season-opening Boeing Apple Cup Sunday. After an intense battle, the Huskies claimed victory 24-10. 

Desmond Williams Jr. from the Huskies threw for 268 yards and a touchdown and scored on a 5-yard keeper in the 118th meeting of the two teams, according to a press release from UW Athletics.  

A statement from WSU Athletics said Caden Pinnick from the Cougars completed 16 of 25 passes for 142 yards with two interceptions and added 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Washington State's best chance in the first quarter came on its opening possession, a 41-yard drive highlighted by Pinnick's 25-yard run and 11-yard completion to Blood before a missed a 52-yard field goal. The Cougars defense answered with a three-and-out, including Lunus Zunk's stop for no gain and quarterback hurry. Tyler Robles’ 48-yard field goal gave the Huskies the early lead.  

In the second quarter, Huskies defender Jeron Jones intercepted Pinnick and ran it back 8 yards to the Washington State 21. After breaking free on a 16-yard run to keep the drive alive, Williams scored on a 5-yard keeper to make it 10-0. 

WSU's defense closed the second quarter with a goal-line stop, with Keith Brown making the tackle on a fourth-and-1 rush at the Washington State 1 as time expired. Washington State was held scoreless with two first downs and 22 yards in the quarter to go into half 10-0, UW. 

On the ensuing drive, Isaiah Ward recovered a fumble as the Huskies forced their second of three turnovers. Alex McLaughlin intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter. 

The Cougars had a chance to get on the board midway through the third quarter as they put together a 12-play, 70-yard drive in the, highlighted by Pinnick’s 32-yard completion to Daniel Blood, but Jack Stevens' 32-yard field goal attempt went wide right.  

The WSU defense kept UW off the board later with Nylan Brown making a tackle for loss and Jaylen Thomas hurrying an incomplete fourth and one pass at the Washington State 38. Pinnick hit Darrius Clemons for 12 yards on the final play, but the Cougars still trailed 10-0 by the end of the third. 

Things changed in the fourth quarter as WSU opened with a nine-play, 62-yard drive, converting fourth-and-three at the Washington 43 on Pinnick’s four-yard run. Pinnick then went on to score from 11 yards out, and Jack Stevens’ PAT made it 10-7. 

After the Cougars narrowed the gap, UW answered with Rashid Williams’ 1-yard touchdown reception. WSU answered this with an eight-play, 51-yard drive and Stevens’ 42-yard field goal with 4:30 left to put the score at 17-10. 

Jayden Limar capped the scoring for the Huskies with an 11-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left. The Cougars took back to the field, but their final possession ended on an interception before the Huskies closed out a 24-10 final. 

UW hosts Utah State on Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m. WSU travels to face Kansas State Saturday at 9 a.m. 

BOX SCORE  

WSU: 0-0-0-10: 10 

UW: 3-7-0-14: 24