One win doesn’t undo months, years and even generations of heartbreak. However for Washington State in its 24-19 Apple Cup victory over rival Washington, there’s significance that transcends a single end result.
Cougars head coach Jake Dickert described the preparation for Saturday’s 116th installment as starting 9 months in the past—a reference to the a hundred and fifteenth Apple Cup. In that recreation, Washington State crossed into Huskies territory late within the fourth quarter of a 21-21 tie.
A Cougars win would have possible denied Washington a spot within the School Soccer Playoff. Washington State additionally wanted the upset victory to realize bowl eligibility. Nonetheless, a holding penalty stalled the Cougars’ drive, and an injured Michael Penix Jr. led a gutsy, game-winning drive for Washington.
Penix strengthened his case to be a Heisman Trophy finalist; the Huskies defeated Oregon in what was then believed to be the ultimate Pac-12 Championship Sport and the Cougars fell in need of bowl eligibility.
The 2023 Apple Cup was quintessential “Cougin’ It.”
For these unfamiliar with the idea of Cougin’ It, it’s a easy manner of describing the gut-wrenching methods by which Washington State groups have misplaced in massive moments over time.
Officers denying Ryan Leaf and Co. their last-second snap within the 1998 Rose Bowl? A snowstorm grounding Gardner Minshew within the 2018 Apple Cup, denying Washington State a shot on the Pac-12 title and potential playoff rivalry? Penix’s heroics in 2023?
Completely different seasons, distinctive eras and three examples of Cougin’ It.
And whereas numerous recreation outcomes counsel the Washington State program has been snakebitten, that pales compared to the Cougars being left with out a actual dwelling following final yr’s exodus of former Pac-12 counterparts to varied conferences.
Washington State joined Oregon State in soccer purgatory, members of the world’s first two-team convention. Dickert made gentle of the state of affairs in his postgame statements on Saturday, joking that Washington State would possibly “retire this (Apple Cup) trophy.”
“I believe it’s the Pac-12 trophy,” he quipped. “I believe it would keep in our place for a very long time. We’ll deliver a brand new one subsequent yr.”
Situations had been ripe for one more entry into the unlucky historical past of Cougin’ It on Saturday. John Mateer’s landing run earlier than halftime gave Washington State a 17-13 lead that it by no means relinquished however couldn’t prolong to greater than eight factors within the second half.
A scoreless stalemate within the fourth quarter with the Cougars main by 5 factors set the stage completely: Washington taking possession with 3:40 left. Will Rogers linked with Giles Jackson for a 45-yard achieve on the primary play from scrimmage.
A methodical Huskies push into the crimson zone and towards the aim line chewed up yards and clock concurrently. The underdog story was enjoyable whereas it lasted, however that is Huge Ten soccer.
As a substitute, Washington State’s protection stood sturdy on the aim line. Andrew Edson’s hit on Rogers pressured an choice pitch to Jonah Coleman, with Coleman having nowhere to go however into one other Cougars senior, Kyle Thornton.
The Pac-12 outmuscled the Huge Ten. How about that?
“Being from Washington, I can’t inform you how a lot this win means to me,” stated Edson, a senior and native of Snoqualmie. “Rising up, I all the time needed to play on this recreation. You’re all the time pondering it may be your time. The play got here to me, and it was wonderful.”
The successful play coming from a veteran who was with Washington State when it final gained the Apple Cup — 2021, the Cougars’ first win over the Huskies in 9 years — underscores Dickert’s message concerning the recreation’s significance.
“We’re at such a essential time for Washington State soccer,” he stated. “When you can’t get behind this staff on this second, right now, I simply don’t know what else we will do. These guys stayed right here for this, for this second.”
The 2024 Apple Cup doesn’t erase the heartache Washington State soccer endured earlier than it. The win does, nonetheless, start a brand new chapter on a constructive notice.
A number of the uncertainty looming over Washington State because the summer season of 2023 broke earlier within the week with present Mountain West Convention members Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State asserting they may be a part of the Cougars and Oregon State in 2026.
The highway to a full rebuild is lengthy, however these are necessary steps. Each win Washington State can safe over opponents from the ability leagues within the meantime provides credibility to the century-old, fledgling convention’s argument for inclusion as computerized playoff qualifiers.
And whereas the playoff fates of each Washington State and the Pac-12 are very a lot unclear, the Cougars can take solace in staking declare to a minimum of one trophy they could by no means have to provide again.
