John Mateer ran for two touchdowns and threw for one more, Washington State made a goal line stand with 1:07 remaining, and the Cougars reclaimed the Apple Cup with a 24-19 win over Washington on Saturday.
Playing in September rather than November or December, and meeting in a non-conference matchup for the first time since 1961, the Cougars relied on their dual-threat quarterback and some key defensive plays in the final moments to claim the Apple Cup for just 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 that gave the Cougars (3-0) a 24-16 lead. Mateer finished 17 of 34 passing for 245 yards and added 62 yards rushing.
Playing at Seattle's Lumen Field was part of a five-year agreement to continue the rivalry despite no longer being in the same conference. Purple outnumbered crimson in the crowd, but it was the Cougars sticking around for the post-game celebration.
Will Rogers threw for 314 yards and a touchdown for Washington (2-1) and Giles Jackson had eight catches for 162 yards, including a 31-yard TD in the first quarter. But the Huskies were forced to settle for field goals on three trips inside the Washington State 25 and that proved the difference.
