SEATTLE – John Mateer ran for two touchdowns and threw another, Washington State made a goal-line stand with 1:07 left and the Cougars reclaimed the Apple Cup with a 24-19 victory over Washington on Saturday.
Playing in September rather than November or December and meeting in a non-conference game for the first time since 1961, the Cougars relied on their dual-threat quarterback and some key defensive plays in the closing moments to win the Apple Cup for only the third time since 2008.
Mateer ran for touchdowns of 23 and 25 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown to Josh Meredith in the third quarter to give the Cougars (3-0) a 24-16 lead. Mateer completed 17 of 34 passes for 245 yards and 62 rushing yards.
The game at Seattle’s Lumen Field was part of a five-year agreement to continue the rivalry despite no longer playing in the same league. Purple was more prominent in the crowd than crimson, but the Cougars stayed for the postgame celebration.
Will Rogers threw for 314 yards and a touchdown for Washington (2-1), and Giles Jackson caught eight balls for 162 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown in the first quarter. But the Huskies had to settle for field goals on three attempts inside Washington State’s 25-yard line, and that made the difference.
Washington had one last chance after gaining possession at its own 31-yard line with 3:40 left and Rogers Jackson threw 45 yards on the first play. The Huskies reached Washington State’s 10-yard line and on third down and goal, Denzel Boston was forced out at the 1-yard line, allowing for the fourth down and goal.
The Huskies called an option play on the short side of the field and Coleman had nowhere to go and was stopped, resulting in a loss of 2 yards.
After last year’s conference realignment, the continuation of the matchup was uncertain. Washington State’s future was solidified earlier this week when the Pac-12 signed Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State and San Diego State for 2026.
The Cougars celebrated by defeating their biggest rivals.
The defining scene for Washington State came at the end of the first half when Mateer ran 25 yards on third-and-20 and snuck into the front corner of the end zone for his second touchdown of the first half. The touchdown capped a 91-yard touchdown run that included passes of 24 and 38 yards and gave Washington State a 17-13 halftime lead.
Washington State also managed to keep Coleman out of the starting lineup after he rushed for over 100 yards in each of the first two games of the season. Coleman rushed for 75 yards on 14 carries.
Washington State: The Cougars will bemoan their fourth-quarter offensive performance. Mateer threw an interception, nearly threw another, and the Cougars threw incomplete on third-and-10 with 3:46 left in the game. Not only did Washington State not get a first down, but the clock stopped.
Washington: After Washington had dealt with penalties relatively flawlessly in the first two games, the Huskies’ discipline was abysmal. The Huskies received 16 penalties for 135 yards, some of which were crucial, allowing the Cougars to keep their offense alive.
Washington State: The Cougars host San Jose State on Friday.
Washington: The Huskies open Big Ten play next Saturday by hosting Northwestern.
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