Follow Tim Keeney and the UDubNation.com staff for updates and analysis from the Apple Cup at CenturyLink Field today. Share your pregame thoughts and predictions. Tim will join in once he gets settled in the CenturyLink Field press box. After the game, look for stories and analysis and postgame thoughts from UDubNation columnist Gail Wood.
This post was edited on 11/26 4:51 PM by Ron Newberry
This post was edited on 11/26 8:16 PM by Ron Newberry
Well, I've finally made it to the press box. The feeling around the stadium--besides it being a zoo--is one of of pure electricity.
Husky and Cougar fans are nice and liquored up and badgering at each other everywhere you go. This should be a fun one, like usual.
There's no question the bad blood will continue.
As far as the actual game goes, the key points will again be the Huskies' defense and offensive line.
First the defense. The Huskies got a bit of a break when Connor Halliday went down with a scary liver injury. The Dawgs are prone to giving up big plays, and Halliday is able to air it out a little better than Marshall Lobbestael.
Lobbestael is no slouch, but I like the Huskies' chances much more against him. Stopping the key play will be big, and there's no doubt Halliday was more of a threat for the big play. He was averaging 16.29 yards per completion while Lobbestael is averaging just 12.51.
If the Huskies limit the big play and get some pressure on Lobbestael, they should be fine on defense--even if they do give up some yardage.
Next up is the offensive line. WSU is 10th in the Pac-12 with 1.45 sacks per game. Even though the UW is worst in the conference in protecting the quarterback, I wouldn't be surpised to see Keith Price with a lot of time. Look for Kasen Williams or even Jermaine Kearse (remember him?) to possibly get a big play or two.
The Huskies are clearly the better team on paper, but this is the Apple Cup and all that pretty much goes out the window. I'm still going with Washington.
Prediction:
Huskies 30, Cougars 20
Posted on 11/26 4:05 PM | IP: Logged
But I think this one's a lot easier. I think the Huskies win in a runaway. Huge day ahead for Chris Polk, and I see a lot of turnovers coming in the Huskies' favor. But I am lousy at this. Still ...
Huskies 38, Cougars 17
Posted on 11/26 4:23 PM | IP: Logged
There's less than 15 minutes left until kickoff and the stadium is still very empty.
I'd say it's probably 50 percent full right now.
Either too many people are still tailgating or they tailgated too far away and are still trying to make it here. Or, you know, they are passed out somewhere.
Posted on 11/26 4:24 PM | IP: Logged
Also, as far as who actually is here, it seems to be a majority of purple compared to red. The Huskies student is in the southeast corner and is completely filled.
Just under 6 minutes until game time.
Posted on 11/26 4:29 PM | IP: Logged
The Cougars went 3-and-out and the Huskies brought pressure on the punt.
Thomas Tutogi blocks it and all Jesse Callier had to do was catch it and waltz in for the touchdown. Good call by Washington actually bringing some pressure.
Jamaal Kearse was flagged for unsporstmanlike conduct, however and the Huskies will kick from their own 15.
That's the first punt block for a touchdown for the Huskies since Chris Stevens in 2006.
This post was edited on 11/26 4:47 PM by keenet
Posted on 11/26 4:46 PM | IP: Logged
anywhere I can watch the game online?
Posted on 11/26 4:50 PM | IP: Logged
Nowhere that I know of, only Versus on TV. You can listen to it via gohuskies.com, but that's about it.
Posted on 11/26 4:57 PM | IP: Logged
Neither offense has been able to move the ball that well as both teams have shot themselves in the foot with penalties.
However, the Huskies have that blocked punt (they almost blocked a second one) and now they've put the Cougars down at their own 3 with a nice punt by Will Mahan.
Posted on 11/26 4:59 PM | IP: Logged
Geaux Washington. Im obviously an LSU fan but I have a soft spot for whatever reason for Washington. Guess its the purple and gold.
Posted on 11/26 5:06 PM | IP: Logged
Hey, always good to have some support from the No. 1 team in the nation. Is LSU the most impressive team in recent memory? I'd say so.
By the way, Huskies are rolling in every aspect of the game right now. The Cougars don't look ready for this one.
Price with a beautiful ball to Kasen Williams for a spectacular 16-yard touchdown. Huskies lead, 14-0.
Posted on 11/26 5:12 PM | IP: Logged
No doubt Keenet, I wanna come up there one day and watch a game. By the way u-dub just got a fumble recovery. I will be at the game in Baton Rouge next year when we play you guys. Gonna be fun. And yes I have never seen an LSU team this good since Ive been born.
Posted on 11/26 5:17 PM | IP: Logged
Josh Shirley forces a fumble and Everette Thompson recovers as the first quarter comes to the end.
The Huskies have dominated for the most part, but the Cougars are also really hurting themselves. WSU has actually moved the ball decently well, but the blocked punt and now fumble in their own territory are killers.
It's 14-0 after one.
Posted on 11/26 5:18 PM | IP: Logged
I'm really impressed with the Huskies on both sides of the ball. Now after that 18-yard pitch-and-catch from Price to Seferian-Jenkins, it seems like this could be a blowout.
On WSU's side, it seems strange that they're going exclusively from the gun or the basic pistol. From what I've seen of them, they like to use an altered pistol, like West Virginia's diamond formation. It helps the running game, which then opens up passing lanes. Be on the lookout for possibly 4 people in the backfield when the Cougs go on offense.
Posted on 11/26 5:21 PM | IP: Logged
The Vs. television coverage has been interesting so far.
There was an earlier reference to Jason Callier. Well, that would be Jesse. But we're all human. Other than that, not bad coverage and commentary.
They also just showed a closeup of fans celebrating, a mix of UW and WSU fans in the same row. One UW fan, a young man, was shaking his plastic bottle of soda. And before the camera left them, sure enough, the kid opens it for a drink. Bad idea.
Posted on 11/26 5:28 PM | IP: Logged
WSU almost moving the ball at will now.
Posted on 11/26 5:37 PM | IP: Logged
They tried to hurt themselves again as Wazzu got a costly holding penalty on a Marshall Lobbestael touchdown run. However, on the next play, Lobbestael connected with Jared Karstetter for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
As bad as they've been, the Cougars are moving the ball quite well with 159 total yards. The Huskies are going to need to force some turnovers and mistakes if they want stops.
Even on that touchdown throw, Fellner was in position for the interception but seemed to have it go right through his hands.
14-7 Huskies with 8 minutes left.
Posted on 11/26 5:39 PM | IP: Logged
After another 3-and-out for Washington, you have to wonder why Sark isn't running the ball more.
Chris Polk only has seven carries as we near halftime. Even on 3rd-and-3 during that last drive, the Huskies went with an empty backfield. Not even thinking about running the ball. Odd.
Cougars are driving again. 4 minutes left in the half.
Posted on 11/26 5:45 PM | IP: Logged
The Cougars just threw all over the Huskies as they went down the field with extreme ease.
Lobbasteal continually had tons of time to throw and found a wide open receiver with almost every throw. He finished off the 66-yard, 3-minute drive with a 16-yard TD pass to Marquess Wilson.
14-14 now.
The Huskies have two minutes to do something before halftime. They can't just sit on the ball here. The Cougars have all the momentum right now and the Huskies don't want that to go into the locker room like that.
Posted on 11/26 5:50 PM | IP: Logged
In their last drive, capped off by a 16 yard strike on a slant from Lobbestael to Wilson, WSU ran out of their side using the pistol effectively, then picked apart the seams in UW territory. They utilized 3 men in the backfield for running and blocks.
The UW defense needs to pick up this routine on the next drive and pressure Lobbestael. Lobbestael isn't the ideal pistol quarterback. He only scrambles when he needs to (like that miscued play leading to him picking up 6 yards and a first down).
UW at the WSU 39. Let's see if Polk and the Huskies can score
Posted on 11/26 5:54 PM | IP: Logged
Huskies go down the field in a 1:35 capped off with a Price-to-Williams 21-yard touchdown score.
On the play before it, Williams had a catch and actually jumped over Nolan Washington, the same guy who was stiff-armed by Kearse in the first quarter.
It's a little scary to think that Kasen Williams is only a true freshman. He's turning into the Huskies' best receiver: 5 catches, 74 yards and touchdowns at halftime.
As the teams go into the locker room, it's 21-14, Huskies.
There was a little better variation in terms of play-calling on Washington's last scoring drive. It's clear they can't really slow WSU's offense down right now, so they'll have to utilize Polk and eat up some time in the second half.
Posted on 11/26 6:00 PM | IP: Logged
Im with you Keenet, 84 yds rushing in the first half for Wash. Need to feed the ball to Polk more and control the clock and keep it away from the WSU offense.
This post was edited on 11/26 6:02 PM by lsu_blake1988
Posted on 11/26 6:01 PM | IP: Logged
A WSU punt just put the Huskies on their own 3-yard line. This sets up what could be a big drive for Washington.
They could eat up a big chunk of time if they put a good drive together. Polk will be very key. Lets see if Sark gives him the ball.
Posted on 11/26 6:27 PM | IP: Logged
WSU's Marshall Lobbestael may not have great pocket awareness (see earlier sack on a fake inside run reverse call), but he's passed for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Keith Price is also having a great day: 13 of 19, 178 yards, and 2 scores.
That's why Polk's been in the background so far. He could explode out of the next drive.
Now, the defense needs to key in on pressuring Lobbestael and preventing big pass plays. The Cougars have only run for 59 yards total.
Posted on 11/26 6:33 PM | IP: Logged
Alameda Ta'amu has been a force in the middle as the Huskies are getting good pressure on Marshall Lobbesteal.
The Cougars have already punted twice in the third quarter and the Huskies are about to start a new drive on their own 42.
Posted on 11/26 6:37 PM | IP: Logged
Jenkins is a beast for yall. Hes just a freshman right.
Posted on 11/26 6:39 PM | IP: Logged
Keith Price just launched a beautiful floating touchdown pass with great touch to Chris Polk to put Washington up by two touchdowns early in the third quarter.
This is the sort of performance Price started the season with. He now has three touchdown passes tonight.
Up 28-14, I'd be surprised if WSU makes a game of this. The Cougars had their chance to get back in this. I don't see UW letting WSU climb back. The UW defense has taken so much criticism this season. It's about time the Huskies close out a game emphatically.
Posted on 11/26 6:43 PM | IP: Logged
Washington goes 59 yards in 58 seconds. 3 passing plays, all completions, and the drive was topped off by a Chris Polk 22-yard catch on a wheel route.
The Huskies continue to avoid the run, but it didn't hurt there.
Washington leads 28-14. As long as they continue to get pressure on Lobbestael, this game is over. If not, Lobbestael can move the ball when he has time. Simple as that.
Posted on 11/26 6:43 PM | IP: Logged
Unbelievable. WSU scores in a hurry on a big pass play. UW now up 28-21.
Posted on 11/26 6:45 PM | IP: Logged
Uh oh.
Doctors are examining Keith Price's hand. That's why Nick Montana has entered the game... and the Huskies went three-and-out.
I think he'll be fine though...
If Price doesn't return, it'll be up to the defense containing Lobbestael, Polk to power his way through and Callier on the wild-dawg (what I like to call the Huskies' wildcat offense)
Posted on 11/26 6:51 PM | IP: Logged
Washington has added a field goal and made defensive stop on Washington State with just under 12 minutes remaining. UW will start at about its own 20. Keith Price has returned to the Huskies' lineup. Washington up, 31-21
Posted on 11/26 7:07 PM | IP: Logged
Polk punches it in from one yard away and now the Huskies lead 38-21 with just over five minutes to go.
It will take a miracle for Wazzu to get back in this one.
Posted on 11/26 7:23 PM | IP: Logged
Alright...Geaux Dogs
Posted on 11/26 7:23 PM | IP: Logged
Had fun tonight. Good apple cup win and good luck in the bowl game. Geaux Dawgs and Geaux Tigers!!!
Posted on 11/26 7:40 PM | IP: Logged
So, Washington ends a three-game losing streak with its third consecutive Apple Cup victory over Washington State, 38-21.
Washington is now 7-5 and bowl bound, though the particular bowl that the Huskies will head to is not yet known. After an eight-year drought, the Huskies are going to a bowl for the second straight year.
Steve Sarkisian has now won five, six and seven games in three regular seasons as Husky coach. That after Washington went 0-12 in Tyrone Willingham's final season at UW in 2008.
Chris Polk finished with 100 yards for Washington and then was asked by a Vs. reporter if he planned to return to the Huskies. He said he would decide later when he had more time to think about his options. Most would say he's gone.
Keith Price looked solid for Washington, which had lost four of its previous five games and hadn't won in November this season until tonight.
Look for stories, columns and analysis from this game from UDubNation's Tim Keeney, Gail Wood and Ravi Venkataraman later tonight.
This post was edited on 11/26 8:12 PM by Ron Newberry
This post was edited on 11/26 9:00 PM by Ron Newberry
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