Apple Cup: Takeaways from UW Huskies’ win over WSU Cougars

SEATTLE – Demond Williams Jr. and the No. 17 UW Huskies shook off the rust on offense and pulled away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat the WSU Cougars 24-10 in the 118th Apple Cup on Sunday afternoon at Husky Stadium.

More Apple Cup coverage: Recap | UW notebook | WSU notebook | Brock’s reaction

What stood out from the first-ever season-opening clash between these two longtime rivals? Here’s a look.

Amid struggles, UW’s offense comes through late

It was a rough day for UW’s offense, which was out of sync for most of the afternoon. The Huskies mustered just 10 points through the first three quarters and struggled in the red zone, twice coming away emptyhanded after driving inside the 10-yard line.

But just when the Dawgs seemed in danger of a potential upset, they delivered back-to-back touchdown drives to put the game out of reach.

After WSU pulled within 10-7 with 10:15 remaining, Williams authored a quick four-play, 75-yard TD drive that was keyed by a 29-yard completion to wide receiver Chris Lawson and a 44-yard flea-flicker pass to wideout Rashid Williams.

Then, after WSU answered with a field goal to trim the margin to 17-10, Demond Williams Jr. unleashed some of his patented wizardry. Facing a pivotal third-and-9 with less than 3 minutes to play, UW’s speedy QB scrambled outside and then eluded two defenders with a sharp cutback on his way to a game-breaking 21-yard gain.

Williams and Lawson then connected for a deep 35-yard completion, and running back Jayden Limar scampered into the end zone for an 11-yard TD to make it 24-10.

This Demond Williams cutback 😮‍💨

Watch on NBC pic.twitter.com/oGVOZzHwhx

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 6, 2026

A swarming start for UW’s defense

While UW’s offense sputtered for much of the afternoon, that wasn’t the case for the Huskies’ defense. UW limited WSU to just 242 total yards, while generating three takeaways, three sacks and eight tackles for loss.

And there were standouts all around for the Dawgs.

Linebacker Jacob Manu recorded a team-high 11 tackles, including a third-down sack. Edge rusher Isaiah Ward forced and recovered a fumble. Four-star freshman defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa had a tackle for loss, along with a quarterback pressure that resulted in an interception by four-star freshman cornerback Jeron Jones.

Freshman Jeron Jones comes away with the INT for Washington!

📺: Washington State at #17 Washington on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/xFpPa7ajg3

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 6, 2026

Safety Alex McLaughlin had an interception and a tackle for loss. Virginia transfer cornerback Emmanuel Karnley had two pass breakups. Edge rusher Jacob Lane chipped in two tackles for loss, while defensive lineman DeSean Watts and edge rusher Russell Davis II added a sack apiece.

It was an excellent start for second-year defensive coordinator Ryan Walters’ unit, which is looking to take another step forward after finishing 15th in the FBS last season at 18.7 points allowed per game.

WSU puts up valiant fight

The odds were heavily stacked against WSU. Unlike the Huskies, who have roster and coaching continuity as they enter Year 3 under Jedd Fisch, the Cougars are once again full of new faces as they embark on their third head coach in as many seasons.

And yet, while facing a Top 25 opponent in a hostile road environment, Kirby Moore’s Cougars put a scare into their cross-state rivals. WSU trimmed the deficit to 10-7 early in the fourth quarter and trailed just 17-10 in the closing minutes.

NOT ON THE COUGARS’ WATCH.
The Washington State defense closes out the half with a HUGE stop on 4th & goal!

📺 Washington State at #17 Washington on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/XihiHDMoUq

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 6, 2026

The Cougars’ defense kept Demond Williams Jr. & Co. in check for most of the afternoon, limiting the Huskies’ dangerous attack to just 10 points through the first three quarters.

And while WSU quarterback Caden Pinnick threw two interceptions in his first career FBS start, the UC Davis transfer ran for 61 yards and a score on 14 carries and showed some mettle early in the fourth quarter, using both his arm and legs to spearhead a nine-play, 62-yard TD drive.

All things considered, it was a promising debut for Moore’s squad, which looks like it could be a serious factor in the revamped Pac-12.

Analyst: UW Huskies could be ‘ultimate chaos agent’ this fall

Related

Cougs Weekly: WSU Cougars making strides on defenseEven coaches aren’t sure who will be on their college basketball rostersApple Cup football game will have an even earlier date in 2027Oregon Ducks fire offensive coordinator after falling to 4-3AP Top 25: No. 1 Miami only team to hold its spot in new pollNo. 21 Boise State pulls away to beat WSU Cougars 31-10