An Apple Cup for the ages: UW seals perfect season with last-second field goal against Cougs

November 25, 2023 / 5:52 pm

caption: Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward blocks Washington linebacker Carson Bruener as he runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle.

The University of Washington Huskies completed their undefeated season and won a nail-biter against Washington State University, 24-21, in their final Apple Cup as Pac-12 competitors.

The game came down to a 42-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Grady Gross with time running out.

UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. connected with wide receiver Rome Odunze for two touchdowns, and Odunze converted a fourth-and-one on the final drive to help seal the game for UW. Both Penix Jr. and Odunze are expected to be drafted into the NFL after the season.

caption: UW and WSU fans tailgating outside Husky Stadium before the start of the 2023 Apple Cup.

Fans from both sides were tailgating before the game, and excited to rev up the rivalry, but as UW moves to the Big 10, November Apple Cups will be a thing of the past.

The universities agreed last weekend to extend the Apple Cup rivalry for at least the next five years, but the games will be played at the beginning of the season, in September.

UW graduate Megan Tomey was tailgating before the game Saturday. As a former Husky athlete herself, she said she’ll miss what the rivalry brings to both schools.

"I'm sad. I grew up in the Seattle area, so I grew up with the Apple Cup. I'm sad about the tradition,” Tomey said.

Husky fan Burke Harris said the move will take some of the air out of the yearly matchup.

"It makes it a little bit less than what it's been, which is typically the last game of the year, usually a lot of importance," Harris said. "It’s a little bit different, but I'm glad we're able to at least continue it.”

Harris was joined by Dale Huston, a WSU fan, who felt even more strongly about UW and other schools leaving the Pac-12.

"The whole breakup of the Pac-12 is just tragic. In my mind, I don't know what to think. Well, I do know what I think, but I can't say that on the radio," said Huston.

Some fans, like longtime season ticket holder Leon St. Onge, are excited about the shift, even if it’s uncharted territory for the Huskies.

“It's gonna be a different atmosphere going into the Big 10," St. Onge said. "I'm excited, I'm excited to go to more road games. But there’s just kind of the unknown.”

caption: Washington State defensive back Jamorri Colson swats away a pass meant for Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle.

The Huskies are now headed to Las Vegas to play the Oregon Ducks in this season's Pac-12 Championship, with a shot at the College Football Playoff. That game kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.

The only other time the Huskies went undefeated in the regular season was 1991. The last time they made the College Football Playoff was 2016.