Golden or Red Delicious? No, Coug or Husky

by Pam Robel<br>Herald Staff Writer
| November 18, 2005 8:00 PM

This weekend ushers in the biggest game of the season for the Washington State Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies. Which are you?

With the annual Apple Cup clash looming large, I decided to go on a mission, do some research and see just how long this rivalry has really been in existence. The answer?

97 games and 105 years.

Apple Cup, before it was called such, began in 1900 when Washington State University was still Washington Agricultural College. In that first game, the two teams tied 5-5. There have been five ties since then, the most recent a 0-0 tie in 1942.

In 1962 the rivalry game was dubbed the Apple Cup in honor of the state's apple crop and the Apple Cup trophy has been awarded to the victor ever since.

The majority of the trophy's time has been spent in Seattle with the Huskies having won it 31 times since 1962.

In the 97 games played since the rivalry's inception in 1900, Washington State University has won 28 of the meetings.

In 2004, the tides changed for the Cougs with a 28-25 win in Martin Stadium. Alex Brink threw for two touchdowns and ran another in to lead the team to victory.

This year's match-up will be the culmination of a dismal season for both teams. The Huskies are coming off of a huge win against Arizona and the Cougs are playing after another last-minute loss to Oregon.

For faithful fans, Apple Cup is a weekend to bring out all the good luck charms and superstitious rituals that accompany wanting a win against your team's biggest rival. In Pullman and Seattle, it marks the Thanksgiving Break exodus and gives students an opportunity to bask in a win or wallow in a loss for a week before returning to classes and daily campus life.

For those of us who are no longer students, it is an opportunity to show your loyalty for your alma mater — whether your blood is crimson or purple.

However, this weekend is not just about rivalry in Washington state. Believe it or not, there are other notable games going on in other parts of the country as well. Virginia Tech will take on Virginia, Ohio State will play at Michigan, Montana will be at Montana State, Alabama will travel to Auburn and Oregon State will take on Oregon just to name a few.

But back to the topic at hand, the Apple Cup.

If you are not willing or able to travel to Seattle, be jostled by a crowd of unruly college students and try to catch a glimpse of the game every now and then, you can see the game in the comfort of your own home. Yes, like me, you can sit in your favorite chair with a veritable plethora of food and watch the game on Fox Sports Network. Kick off is at 12:15 Saturday.

Tune in! It is your duty as an alumni, as a fan, as a Washingtonian.