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Huskies Crush Cougars 24-10 in Season-Opening Apple Cup

9/7/2026

Summary

Huskies Beat Cougars

Washington Huskies beat Washington State Cougars 24-10 in the season-opening Apple Cup.
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards, a passing touchdown and a five-yard rushing touchdown.
He scrambled 21 yards on a third-and-9 to start the game-sealing drive.
Washington’s defense forced three turnovers and held Washington State to 242 total yards.
Cougars quarterback Caden Pinnick threw two interceptions, including a tipped pass late in the fourth quarter.

Summary

Kirby Moore hired

Washington spends roughly $30 million on recruiting and roster costs, far outpacing Washington State’s budget.
The Huskies receive a $32 million half-share of the 2026 Big Ten media-rights revenue.
The Apple Cup pact runs until 2028, after which Washington could claim a full media-rights share in 2030.
Kirby Moore arrived from Missouri, where he was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, to lead Washington State.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1889, Washington’s football program has logged 14 Rose Bowl trips and 42 bowl appearances. In 1995, Jim Lambright led the Huskies to a 7-4-1 record, tying for the Pac-10 lead and earning a Sun Bowl spot—the conference’s first era after the Pac-8 lifted its one-team limit in 1975. That season’s revenue surge foreshadowed later TV contracts widening the fiscal gap with Washington State.

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Huskies Beat Cougars

Washington Huskies beat Washington State Cougars 24-10 in the season-opening Apple Cup.
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards, a passing touchdown and a five-yard rushing touchdown.
He scrambled 21 yards on a third-and-9 to start the game-sealing drive.
Washington’s defense forced three turnovers and held Washington State to 242 total yards.
Cougars quarterback Caden Pinnick threw two interceptions, including a tipped pass late in the fourth quarter.

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