Sun Sep 15 17:22:10 UTC 2024: ## WSU Upsets Washington in Historic Apple Cup Showdown
**PULLMAN, WA** – In a thrilling first nonconference Apple Cup in 60 years, Washington State football secured a dramatic 24-19 victory over their in-state rivals, Washington, on Saturday. The win marks the 116th meeting between the two programs, with WSU now claiming a hard-fought victory.
The game was a testament to grit and determination, with quarterback John Mateer leading the Cougars with a three-touchdown performance. Mateer, making his first Apple Cup start, completed 17 of 34 passes for 245 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, while also rushing for 62 yards and two more scores.
“When you win this game as a quarterback, you turn into an immediate legend,” said WSU head coach Jake Dickert, visibly emotional after the game. “He’s now in the Apple Cup lore. He just does whatever it takes to win, and what I love is that, through every mistake, he never wavered. He just kept bringing it, and that’s the gutsy performance we needed.”
The game was a defensive battle, with both teams scoreless in the fourth quarter. It was ultimately the Cougars’ defense that secured the victory, holding off a late Washington drive with a goal-line stand in the final minutes.
“In that huddle, they never flinched,” Dickert said of his defense. “There was no panic. We said sudden change, we’ve been here before. They leaned on us a little bit, but at the end of the day, it just takes heart, and that’s what our guys have.”
The win marks WSU’s first victory over Washington since 2021, when Dickert served as interim coach and led the Cougars to a 3-0 record. “This is going to be 1B to that 1A,” Dickert said, reflecting on the two wins as his favorite football memories. “When you see the hard work these kids put in, I am so damn proud of them. This was a gutsy performance against a really good football team.”
Despite the loss, Washington still leads the all-time series 76-34-6. The Huskies won the last Pac-12 Conference matchup between the two teams, denying WSU bowl eligibility.
With this victory, Washington State adds another chapter to the storied rivalry, solidifying their place in the hearts of Cougar fans and leaving a lasting impression on the history books.
First Piper 