SB Nation Seattle - Apple Cup 2012: 105th annual meeting between the Huskies & Cougarshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2012-11-24T09:35:05-08:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34438912012-11-24T09:35:05-08:002012-11-24T09:35:05-08:00Reaction to Huskies' Apple Cup loss
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<figcaption>William Mancebo</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Huskies lost the Apple Cup against the Washington St. Cougars for the first time since 2008 on Friday, 31-28. SB Nation's UW blog reacts to the rivalry loss.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-huskies">Washington Huskies</a> had a four-game winning streak snapped on Friday by their in-state rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-st-cougars">Washington St. Cougars</a>. It was the first time that Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has lost to the Cougars in his four years at Washington. The Apple Cup was the first conference win of the year for Mike Leach and Washington St.</p>
<p>The Cougars came from behind with 18 fourth-quarter points to force overtime and eventually beat the No. 25 Huskies, 31-28. The game-winning field goal was set up by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/86098/keith-price">Keith Price</a> being pressured into throwing an interception on the Huskies first overtime possession.</p>
<p>On Price, <a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2012/11/23/3683806/mike-leach-leads-washington-state-to-apple-cup-victory-over-washington" target="_blank">Ben Knibbe from SB Nation's UW Dawg Pound wrote:</a></p>
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<p>Keith Price had no time to throw ever. He took his drop, hitched and went down. He often got the ball off, but he went down quite a bit. Regardless of what was happening, there is no excuse for the final offensive play. The attempted shovel to Sankey over a defender was inexcusable.</p>
<p>He was erratic with his accuracy, but when given any time in the pocket at all, he generally delivered an accurate pass to an open receiver.</p>
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<p>Despite the frustrating rivalry loss, Knibbe singled out cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113897/gregory-ducre">Gregory Ducre</a> as a bright spot, saying:</p>
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<p>He will be relied on his Senior season with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/89462/desmond-trufant">Desmond Trufant</a> graduating, and he looks to be up to the task. He tackled well and passes were generally not completed in his direction.</p>
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<p>The Huskies finish the 2012 regular reason 7-5 overall and 5-4 in Pac-12 play.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-ncaaf/2012/11/24/3685666/washington-state-washington-2012-apple-cupJohn.Wilkinson2012-11-24T09:04:42-08:002012-11-24T09:04:42-08:00WSU shocks UW with inspired 31-28 performance
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<figcaption>William Mancebo</figcaption>
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<p>WSU's win on Friday was one of the more memorable games in Apple Cup history.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-st-cougars" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington St. Cougars</a> entered Friday's game with a forgettable season behind them. No one really gave them much of a chance against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-huskies" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Huskies</a>, who are headed to another bowl game this winter, and given the controversy that has surrounded the program in recent weeks, WSU was a prime candidate to be blown out.</p>
<p>Sometimes, crazy things happen in rivalry games. The Cougars fell behind early, but a furious comeback tied the game up late. Washington had a chance to win in the closing seconds and failed. Washington State took advantage, and now they have the Apple Cup in coach Mike Leach's first season.</p>
<p>Coug Center, SB Nation's fine WSU blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-cougars-football/2012/11/23/3684076/apple-cup-2012-score-recap">reflected on what was a memorable day</a> at Martin Stadium:</p>
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<p>Around the 30-yard-line, after the trophy celebration, Joe Salave'a, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161416/robert-barber" class="sbn-auto-link">Robert Barber</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136529/xavier-cooper" class="sbn-auto-link">Xavier Cooper</a> grabbed Butch and posed for a picture. It was like watching kids on Christmas, celebrating as they open the best present ever. All around, players and coaches were soaking in the moment, basking in the glow of the unexpected.</p>
<p>Leach and his staff can build off this feeling, this game. They can build off a team that fought back and kept swinging until the very end of the Apple Cup. They can bottle this up and take it forward into the offseason. And maybe someday they can look back on it as the point where everything clicked after a season of struggles.</p>
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<p>Having momentum within a program can mean a lot once offseason workouts begin. The Cougars might not have won as many games as they hoped for in 2012, but there is no denying this team has the fight to come back and make a run next season.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2012/11/24/3685548/apple-cup-washington-state-washington-2012Scott Coleman2012-11-23T05:00:41-08:002012-11-23T05:00:41-08:00Huskies, Cougars battle for the Apple Cup
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The No. 25 Huskies head to Pullman on Saturday to battle the Cougars for the Apple Cup.</p> <p>The No. 25 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-huskies" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Huskies</a> will try to close out the season with five straight wins and knock off their cross-state rival <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-st-cougars" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington St. Cougars</a> in a clash for the Apple Cup in Pullman on Friday afternoon.</p>
<p>Washington (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12) has not allowed more than 17 points to an opponent during their four-game winning streak, and will pit their stout defense against a Cougars squad that that struggled to put points on the board in recent weeks. The Huskies have a bowl bid locked up, but a win on Saturday to make the team a more appealing team when selections are made.</p>
<p>The Cougars (2-9, 0-8 Pac-12) have lost eight straight games and are coming off a 46-7 trouncing by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arizona-st-sun-devils" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona St. Sun Devils</a>. They will try to avoid their second winless Pac-12 slate in the past four years and salvage what a has been a very disappointing season with a win over their in-state rival.</p>
<p>The Huskies are 13.5-point favorites over the Cougars at most sportsbooks.</p>
<p>Kickoff is slated for 12:30 p.m. PT on Friday and the game will be televised on FOX.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-ncaaf/2012/11/23/3674594/colorado-washington-state-2012-game-time-schedule-oddsRiley Breckenridge2012-11-21T18:07:43-08:002012-11-21T18:07:43-08:00Sarkisian on Arkansas fans' wish list
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<figcaption>Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Are the Razorbacks targeting Steve Sarkisian to be their next head coach? Arkansas fans seem to hope so.</p> <p>When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arkansas-razorbacks">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> named John L. Smith their interim head coach for the year after parting ways with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87277/bobby-petrino">Bobby Petrino</a>, the rumors of names for a long-term replacement began to fly. One rumor even included Seahawks' coach Pete Carroll.</p>
<p>It appears the Razorbacks -- or at least the rumor mill -- could be eyeing the Pacific Northwest for yet another candidate, none other than Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian.</p>
<p>The folks at <a href="http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=519133.0" target="_blank">Hogville.net</a> seem to think Sark may be headed their way - at least, they're hoping so:</p>
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<p>So if all the reports are true this may be our guy. Hear me out. In the spring it was reported that JL was in Washington talking to someone. We all assumed it was Carrol but what are the possibilities that he was meeting with Sark instead. Also he falls in line with the new "sources" saying that we will have our guy this weekend. He is done Friday night after the Washington St. game. Listen I am not saying I am for him, but he has some guys on his staff with SEC experience and if her brought them in along with keeping Holt as the DL coach we could have a pretty young dynamic staff.</p>
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<p>Now, it is worth noting, at this point we are simply dealing with message board fodder. However, SB Nation's Arkansas site <a href="http://www.arkansasexpats.com/2012/11/19/3663142/arkansas-next-head-coach-tracker-11-19-2012-gruden" target="_blank">Arkansas Expats</a> does list Sarkisian in their "next head coach" tracker.</p>
<p>Interestingly, former Huskies' defensive coordinator Nick Holt has spent the 2012 season in a support role with the Arkansas staff.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2012/11/21/3678148/washington-huskies-steve-sarkisian-arkansas-razorbacks-next-coachScott Enyeart2012-11-21T16:00:19-08:002012-11-21T16:00:19-08:00DT Shelton, four other Huskies named All-Academic
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Sophomore Danny Shelton has 37 tackles and good grades.</p> <p>Washington nose tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136480/danny-shelton">Danny Shelton</a> has been named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team, a distinction given to players who meet criteria on and off the field. The sophomore from Auburn, WA started every game for the Huskies this season and compiled 37 tackles.</p>
<p>The highlight of Shelton's season was a 10-tackle performance against LSU, who was No. 3 in the country at that time. His great play is punctuated by a 3.47 grade point average. Shelton is majoring in anthropology.</p>
<p>Four of Shelton's teammates earned Honorable Mention from the Pac-12: senior FB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78179/jonathan-amosa">Jonathan Amosa</a>, sophomore WR DiAndre Campbell, redshirt freshman LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136472/travis-feeney">Travis Feeney</a> and sophomore LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136457/john-timu">John Timu</a>.</p>
<p>To be eligible for the All-Academic Team, a player must be a starter or significant contributor and hold a grade point average above 3.0.</p>
<p>The Huskies finish their season on Friday when they play for the Apple Cup against rival Washington State. Washington has won the last three Apple Cup games.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2012/11/21/3677758/huskies-pac-12-all-academicThomas Todd2012-11-21T15:46:12-08:002012-11-21T15:46:12-08:00LB Long uncertain for Apple Cup
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<figcaption>Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After starting every game in his career, the senior may miss the rivalry game against UW</p> <p>Washington State has one more chance to win a Pac-12 game this season when they square off on Friday against rival Washington. An injury to linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78222/travis-long">Travis Long</a> could hurt their chances to win.</p>
<p>Long's status is uncertain for the game as a knee injury has kept the senior out of practice all week, according to the Associated Press. Long is the best player on his side of the ball for the Cougars, and his 9.5 sacks this season is fourth in the Pac-12.</p>
<p>Long, a native of Spokane, has started every game in his career - 47 in all - since joining the team as a freshman in 2009. But the senior has never seen a victory in the Apple Cup, as the Cougars haven't won it since defeating the Huskies 16-13 in 2008.</p>
<p>Washington enters the game with a 5-3 record in Pac-12 play and is No. 25 in the most recent BCS poll.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2012/11/21/3677682/apple-cup-injuries-washington-stateThomas Todd2012-11-21T05:03:06-08:002012-11-21T05:03:06-08:00Apple Cup one of the highlights of rivalry week
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<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>It's rivalry week in Washington as the Huskies and Cougars face off in the Apple Cup on Friday.</p> <p>While the stakes have been higher in previous editions, Friday's Apple Cup will once again be the focus of college football in Washington.</p>
<p>With Washington already securing its bowl eligibility and the Cougars long eliminated from postseason contention, pride will be the biggest prize on Friday. Washington could improve its bowl bid by moving up the Pac-12 standings with a win, but knocking off their rival is the bigger focus.</p>
<p>Washington has won four straight games and has not allowed more than 17 points over that span. The Cougars have gone the opposite direction, as they have lost eight straight games and have surrendered at least 44 points in each of their last three games. After battling injuries and being replaced against Arizona State, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78188/jeff-tuel">Jeff Tuel</a> is expected to start at quarterback for Washington State.</p>
<p>The Apple Cup will be only one of several Pac-12 rivalry games this week. Here is a closer look at this week's conference schedule:</p>
<p><b>Friday, November 23</b></p>
<p>3 p.m. ET: Utah at Colorado</p>
<p>3:30 p.m. ET: Washington at Washington State</p>
<p>10 p.m. ET: Arizona State at Arizona</p>
<p><b>Saturday, November 24</b></p>
<p>3 p.m. ET: Oregon at Oregon State</p>
<p>6:30 p.m. ET: Stanford at UCLA</p>
<p>8 p.m. ET: Notre Dame at USC</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2012/11/21/3674530/college-football-2012-scheduleMark Sandritter2012-11-20T16:05:29-08:002012-11-20T16:05:29-08:00Blog reaction: Cougars must stop UW counter runs
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<figcaption>William Mancebo</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington State Cougars must be active in stopping the Washington Huskies' use of the counter run game in Friday's Apple Cup.</p> <p>One of the keys for the Washington State Cougars against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/washington-huskies">Washington Huskies</a> for Friday's Apple Cup will be containing running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136464/bishop-sankey">Bishop Sankey</a>. The sophomore running back has 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Huskies this year, and his recent success has been thanks to the counter run schemes that Steve Sarkisian's team employs.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/2012/11/20/3669882/2012-apple-cup-wsu-vs-uw-play-breakdown" target="_blank">CougCenter.com's Brian J. Anderson</a>, it'll be up to WSU's defensive physicality to stop the counters:</p>
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<p>In establishing a running game, the counter for UW will be a focal point. They are very comfortable running it from a variety of formations and it serves as a basis for a lot of their play action. If they can get lineman to the second level on Coug linebackers, only <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114015/deone-bucannon">Deone Bucannon</a> and Casey Locker separate Bishop Sankey from massive yardage and a touchdown.</p>
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<p>With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/86098/keith-price">Keith Price</a> snapping the ball under center in a single-back formation, Washington sometimes pulls a guard across the line of scrimmage to block for Sankey. In a two-back, shotgun formation, the Huskies will use a blocking back to pave the way for Sankey at the line and send the offensive linemen downfield to block at the second level.</p>
<p>If the Cougars want to find success against UW run game, the defensive tackles must get a push in the middle with the ends not overrunning the outsides, Anderson writes. Then, the Cougar linebackers must fill the right gaps and handle any downfield blocking by the UW offensive line.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-ncaaf/2012/11/20/3673318/wsu-vs-washington-football-reaction-cougars-must-stop-huskies-counterKevin Zimmerman