PULLMAN, Wash. — It is the week every Washington State fan waits for all year, Apple Cup week. The Cougs will face the fifth-ranked Washington Huskies for the final time as members of the PAC-12 conference.
However, it was announced yesterday that the Apple Cup series will continue between the two schools for the next five years beginning with a matchup at Lumen Field next September.
"We should never have to get to this point where we have to schedule out-of-conference games, but when I step back and look at it with a 360-degree view, we have been playing for over 100 years and that needs to continue. We want to play against the best, period," WSU head coach Jake Dickert said.
If the Cougs are going to continue their bowl streak, they must walk into a hostile environment at Husky Stadium and knock off a team with national championship aspirations.
"To say it is just another game is not fair. We need to go into a really tough environment and steal a win. It is going to take our guys performing the way they are capable of and playing with an effort and energy level that will rival our opponents'," Dickert said.
Coach Dickert is well aware of the mighty task ahead on Saturday and was highly complimentary of UW quarterback Michael Penix, wide receiver Rome Odunze and called offensive lineman Troy Fautanu, "The best offensive lineman I have ever seen on tape."
"Washington's offense is very unique, it is like formational wizardry. Through the different shifts, motions and trades that they do, as long as we are on the same page, we will be okay. You also have to concede that they are going to make some plays. They are good players and they are going to make some plays, but you cannot let it rattle the next play," Dickert said.
The Cougs will celebrate Thanksgiving as a team on Wednesday afternoon before heading to Seattle.
All of the fun kicks off at 1 pm on Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium as the Huskies look to finish off an undefeated regular season.
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