No. 17 Washington grinds out win over Washington State 24-10 in 118th Apple Cup | Recap and highlights

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Sep. 6—SEATTLE — The white-clad Washington State players surged to the sideline like bumblebees flooding out of a beehive, sending a hush of silence over Husky Stadium, which sounded mostly stunned by what had just unfolded on the field.

On the final play of the first half of Sunday's Apple Cup, No. 17 Washington decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1. The Huskies handed the ball to running back Jayden Limar. He was greeted by WSU linebacker Keith Brown, whose teammates followed suit, stuffing him short of the goal line.

With that sequence, the Cougars created a tidal wave of momentum, surfing into halftime. The only question that remained: Could their offense take advantage?

WSU dropped a 24-10 decision in this season-opening Apple Cup in large part because the answer turned out to be shaky. The Cougars made things interesting in the fourth quarter on a rushing touchdown from quarterback Caden Pinnick, trimming the Huskies' lead to three, but it wasn't enough offense from WSU: Three turnovers, including two interceptions from Pinnick and one fumble from running back Kirby Vorhees, whose unit went 0-for-11 on third down and couldn't enough momentum to cash in on their defense's encouraging outing.

In Washington State coach Kirby Moore's debut, the Cougars were undone by their offense, which totaled 242 total yards. Kicker Jack Stevens misfired on two field goals, which was an uncharacteristic development from the usually accurate kicker, missing two chances to get the Cougs back in the game.

Still, the Cougs clawed to within one score on two occasions in the fourth quarter, scoring all 10 points in that frame. One score came on an 11-yard scoring rush from Pinnick and the other came on a 42-yard field goal from Stevens, who connected at a key time for his team.

With that three-pointer, Washington's lead diminished to 17-10. But the Huskies put the game away on the following drive, particularly on a third-and-9 conversion from quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who scrambled, made a couple defenders miss and jetted upfield. With only minutes remaining, UW had no issues creating more separation, scoring once again on an 11-yard rush from Limar to punctuate things.

Complicating things for WSU (0-1) was an early injury to starting wide receiver Tony Freeman, who went down in the second quarter, departed for the locker room and returned in warmup gear, out for the remainder of the game. It was a costly injury for the Cougars, who also rely on the veteran Freeman for kick and punt return duties.

For WSU, a few other wideouts helped pick up the slack. Transfer Daniel Blood enjoyed a sparkling day, collecting five catches for 57 yards, and fellow transfer Darrius Clemons added three receptions for 40 yards. Those receivers helped the Cougars move the chains at key times, including ahead of Pinnick's touchdown, an 11-yard jaunt into the end zone.

With that score, which capped a nine-play and 62-yard drive, WSU pulled to within 10-7 — well within striking distance. But the Cougs' defense, staunch throughout so much of Sunday's game, followed by giving up a quick touchdown drive to the Huskies. Williams Jr., who completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and two total touchdowns, hit a long flea-flicker pass to wideout Rashid Williams, who scored one play later on a pass from his quarterback.

With about six minutes left in the fourth frame, the Cougars breathed new life when Pinnick lost a fumble, but it was wiped out by a targeting penalty against UW defender Rylon Dillard-Allen. A few plays later, the Cougars turned things over to Stevens, who connected on a 42-yard field goal.

In his WSU debut, the UC Davis transfer Pinnick completed 16 of 25 passes for 142 yards, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions, one of which came on a tipped pass late in the fourth frame. He also turned in 14 carries for 61 yards, leading his team's rushing effort.

Pinnick improved as the game went on — he hit on 12 of 16 passes for 103 yards in the second half — but because it took time for that to happen, the Cougars whiffed on several chances to make up ground early in the game. They went scoreless in their first eight drives, generating just 130 total yards in that span.

On WSU's defense, it was a standout afternoon for the veteran linebacker Brown, who missed all of last season recovering from a shoulder injury. He followed that with six tackles on Sunday, none bigger than the goal-line stuff. Defensive ends Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk also produced some real pass rush early in the game, setting the tone for the Cougs.

But it wasn't enough for Washington State, which gets another tall task next weekend, this time on a short week. WSU returns to action on Saturday with a road test against Big 12 opponent Kansas State. That will be the Cougars' second straight game against a Power 4 foe to open the season. To avoid two straight losses, they'll have to generate more offense than they did here on Sunday afternoon.

BOX SCORE

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The new-look Washington State football team, playing its first game under coach Kirby Moore, got a commendable effort from its defense, which kept the Cougars alive throughout the 118th Apple Cup. — Read more

First quarter

12:04 — WSU 0, UW 0: Jack Stevens' 52-yard field goal attempt is no good after a promising drive by the Cougars stalls in Husky territory.

7:48 — WSU 0, UW 0: Washington uses its first timeout on the move to WSU's 42.

3:53 — UW 3, WSU 0: Washington gets on the board after Tyler Robles makes a 48-yard field goal.

Penalties hamstrung Washington's drive, which ended after 11 plays and 26 yards.

Second quarter

12:27 — UW 3, WSU 0: Caden Pinnick is intercepted by UW defender Jeron Jones after the ball was tipped.

UW takes over at WSU's 21.

10:09 — UW 10, WSU 0: Demond Williams Jr. scrambles for a 5-yard touchdown.

10:05 — UW 10, WSU 0: Kirby Vorhees fumbles after a review overturns the call on the field.

Washington takes over at the WSU 23.

7:58 — UW 10, WSU 0: The turnover doesn't damage WSU as Robles misses a 29-yard field goal attempt.

Halftime

Washington State enters the half with some momentum after stuffing Washington running back Jayden Limar at the goal line on fourth down.

Washington enters halftime ahead 10-0 in a defense-first Apple Cup so far.

The Cougars mustered 73 total yards in the first half, with quarterback Pinnick completed four passes for 39 yards.

Williams finishes the first half with 108 passing yards and 30 rushing yards to lead the Huskies.

Third quarter

6:59 — UW 10, WSU 0: Stevens misses a 32-yard field goal attempt. A delay of game penalty pushed the attempt back five yards.

0:31 — UW 10, WSU 0: Washington State's defense forces a turnover on downs after UW drives to the Cougars' 38.

Fourth quarter

10:15 — UW 10, WSU 7: Pinnick breaks free for an 11-yard rushing touchdown to get WSU on the board.

It was the Cougars' most successful drive of the game, running nine plays for 62 yards and the score.

9:17 — UW 10, WSU 7: Washington responds quickly as Demond Williams finds Rashid Williams on a flea flicker for a 44-yard completion down to the WSU 2.

8:05 — UW 17, WSU 7: Demond Williams connects with Rashid Williams for a 1-yard touchdown pass.

6:14 — UW 17, WSU 7: Washington State dodges disaster as a fumble by Pinnick is nullified by a targeting penalty on the Huskies. WSU has the ball at UW's 30.

4:30: UW 17, WSU 10: Stevens makes a 42-yard field goal to draw the Cougars within one possession.

2:18 — UW 24, WSU 10: Jayden Limar breaks off an 11-yard rushing touchdown.

1:48 — UW 24, WSU 10: Alex McLaughlin intercepts a passed tipped into the air by Vorhees to seal the win for the Huskies.

Pregame

Washington State begins its first season in the revamped Pac-12 against a bitter rival from the old iteration of the conference.

Washington enters the 118th Apple Cup ranked 17th in the country and boasts a 59-24 win in last year's game in Pullman.

After the departure of head coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State and the graduation of starting quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, the Cougars turn to Prosser native Kirby Moore to command the program.

Moore brought in UC Davis transfer quarterback Caden Pinnick and mined the transfer portal for other impact players.

Washington State takes on UW at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

Series history

Washington holds a 74-33-6 advantage in the series history between the two rivals.

Most recently, the Huskies won last year in Pullman 59-24. Washington State's last win came in 2024 after a dramatic goal-line stand at Lumen Field, 24-19.

Notable stat

Last season at UC Davis, Pinnick registered a Pro Football Focus passing grade of 87.1 against the blitz, which is a remarkable number.

Game preview

WSU, first-year coach Kirby Moore ready to try and pull massive upset on No. 17 Washington in 118th Apple Cup

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Two-minute drill: Washington State's keys to victory against No. 17 Washington in the Apple Cup

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Why No. 17 Washington will beat Washington State in Apple Cup No. 118

SEATTLE — Heading into Sunday's Apple Cup, Washington State and coach Kirby Moore have said all the right things, have talked about all the right game plans. — Read more

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