It wasn't the prettiest of games.It was 70 instead of 40 degrees. Fans were celebrating Labor Day Weekend, not Thanksgiving Weekend.
It wasn't the prettiest of games.
It was 70 degrees instead of 40.
Fans were celebrating Labor Day Weekend, not Thanksgiving Weekend.
But none of it seemed to matter.
Because an Apple Cup that, quite frankly, felt slightly out of place during what's technically still summer delivered when it mattered most.
Emotion, tradition, and pride.
71,056 fans showed up at Husky Stadium--on a rare Sunday game and the first-ever season-opening edition of the Apple Cup where Washington beat Washington State 24-10 behind a strong second half for Husky signal-caller Demond Williams, Jr.
Their fervor for their team didn't waver a bit, even if this 2026 Apple Cup is probably unrecognizable compared to, say, the 2021 edition.
And that's why this game needs to keep being played.
If you're wondering where that conversation is coming from, it was a common one in and around Husky Stadium on Sunday, and it stems from the fact that the current contract for the Apple Cup ends in 2028.
One more in Pullman, one more in Seattle.
Now, that doesn't mean it won't be extended; it's just to say that notion is less certain than ever given the current and ever-changing landscape in college football.
"That's been all the conversations I've had today is with people all across the state," Governor Bob Ferguson told KOMO News after the Huskies win. "'We gotta keep this going,' [people have said.] The energy, the passion -- [The Apple Cup is] one of the greatest things we have in Washington state, we've got to keep it."
"I've already been talking with folks about this, and I'll sort of leave it at that," Ferguson added. "But obviously we can engage with folks and say, 'Hey, how can we be helpful to the state to make sure we keep this thing.'"
Fans largely agree with Ferguson. They feel the shifting college sports landscape and, through it all, feel a sense of normalcy in playing one another.
It's almost like they're unified by their dislike, but also mutual understanding that it's exactly what makes sports special.
It shows on the field too. The Huskies were 23-point favorites, winning by 14 in a game that was just a one-possession game with under three minutes to play.
The point here is that, as we well know, records can go out the window.
This rivalry is all about heart: the pride and emotion to represent your school.
So, we know we've got two more. But I wouldn't be surprised to see many more beyond that.
Because Husky or Coug, we can all agree.
The Apple Cup is good.
And we could all use a little more good in this world.
