WSU a heavy underdog against undefeated Washington

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Nov. 25—The last time Washington State played the Apple Cup in Seattle, the Cougars defeated Washington by their largest margin in the series’ 115-game history in 2021.

That 40-13 win at Husky Stadium, which ended with quarterback Jayden de Laura planting Ol’ Crimson at midfield surrounded by adoring WSU fans, cemented the head coaching job for then-interim coach Jake Dickert.

Two years later, Dickert and the Cougs will be hard-pressed to repeat that historic moment.

No. 4 Washington (11-0, 8-0 Pac-12) has national title aspirations and is currently riding an 18-game winning streak going back to Oct. 8 of last year.

Meanwhile, WSU (5-6, 2-6) has lost to three of the bottom-five teams in the conference in the last four weeks.

The Apple Cup kicks off at 1 p.m. today (FOX) at Husky Stadium.

“Everywhere you go, when I first got here and when I first took this job, they said one thing: Win the Apple Cup,” Dickert said during his weekly radio show. “It just says exactly what it means to everybody.”

Penix powers the Husky offense

No quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision has thrown for more passing yards this season than Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

The senior and Heisman hopeful leads the FBS with 3,695 yards to go along with 30 touchdowns (third in FBS), seven interceptions and a 66.5% completion rate.

In last year’s Apple Cup, Penix threw for 485 yards and three TDs.

“Obviously he’s a first-round (NFL draft) talent that just throws some balls that you look at the film and shake your head at, and a bunch of receivers that go up and get it,” Dickert said.

Not all Penix

It’s not all the Penix show.

Much of the QB’s success comes thanks to a stellar offensive line that has allowed just seven sacks this season.

He also has top-tier weapons at his disposal, like wide receiver Rome Odunze (11 TDs, 109.6 yards per game) and…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/apple-cup-preview-wsu-heavy-131600509.html

Author : Lewiston Tribune, Idaho

Publish date : 2023-11-25 13:16:00

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