With over 130 schools and more than 130 years of history, there's always a rivalry brewing in college football. Whether it's a high-stakes showdown or a heated border skirmish, each rivalry holds immense significance for the schools involved. This season, we're diving into the thrilling, heart-wrenching, and sometimes absurd moments from rivalries across the nation. Today, we turn our attention to the (far-too-early) return of the Apple Cup.
The Schools: Washington vs. Washington State
The Apple Cup features a quintessential rivalry dynamic: snobs vs. slobs, city vs. country, wine vs. beer. Fans on both sides believe they are on the side of righteousness, while the opposition is little more than a pack of misguided souls—which is exactly the fuel every great rivalry needs.
The History
This rivalry traces its origins back to 1900, when the University of Washington faced off against the “Agricultural College, Experiment Station and School of Science of the State of Washington,” which soon after became Washington State University, or simply "Wazzu." Since that first meeting, the two schools have faced each other nearly every year, except during world wars and the occasional pandemic. The Apple Cup has often carried the weight of Rose Bowl hopes for both teams.
The Series
Washington leads the series with a record of 76-33-6, dominating in recent years by winning nine of the last 10 matchups. Heading into this year, Washington holds a slight edge as the 4.5-point favorite.
The Trophy
The Apple Cup Trophy, a two-handled silver cup with the series’ scores engraved on a wooden base, travels to whichever school wins the annual showdown. Both universities keep a prominent shelf ready for the trophy—though jokes about dust collecting on the losing side’s shelf are never far behind. Washington's apple industry inspired the trophy’s name, replacing the less creative "Governor’s Trophy" in 1963.
Notable Games
Moon Shot, 1975: With Washington trailing 27-14 late in the fourth quarter, Wazzu attempted a 4th-and-1 conversion, only for Washington’s Al Burleson to return an interception 93 yards for a touchdown. A few plays later, Huskies quarterback Warren Moon launched a pass that deflected into the hands of Spider Gaines, leading to a 78-yard touchdown and a remarkable Washington victory.
The Snow Bowl, 1992: A snowstorm in Pullman set the stage for one of the most memorable games in Apple Cup history. Drew Bledsoe’s touchdown pass to Phillip Bobo, who slid into a snowbank after the catch, helped Wazzu upset the defending national champion Huskies.
“The Game Is Over,” 2002: In a dramatic overtime finish, Washington seized victory after a controversial call. Wazzu backup QB Matt Kegel’s attempted screen pass was ruled a backward pass, which Washington recovered. Referee Gordon Riese’s words, “The game is over,” sent both sides into a frenzy, with players and officials leaving the field amidst a hail of debris.
The Crapple Cup, 2008: In a game between two teams with a combined 1-20 record, Washington State eked out a 16-13 win in double overtime. The matchup, dubbed “full of worms” by sportswriters, remains a testament to how even the worst seasons can’t dim the intensity of this rivalry.
The Last Hurrah, 2023: With the game tied and just over a minute left, Washington coach Kalen DeBoer made one of the boldest calls in Apple Cup history, going for it on 4th-and-1. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. tossed to Rome Odunze, who gained the necessary yardage—and 22 more—to set up a game-winning field goal. Washington’s undefeated season stayed alive, propelling them to a national championship showdown against Michigan and marking a bittersweet close to the Pac-12 era of the Apple Cup.
This Year
For the first time since 1935, both teams enter the game undefeated. However, the 2024 Apple Cup comes with a major caveat. It’s now a September non-conference matchup instead of its traditional Thanksgiving weekend clash for Pac-12 bragging rights. Additionally, it will take place at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, instead of either team’s campus stadium.
While the Apple Cup will continue through at least 2028, the realignment of college football has stripped away some of the rivalry’s historical significance. The trophy will still reside with the victor, but the impact of conference shifts has left a lasting mark on what once was an annual battle for supremacy in the state of Washington.
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