Loading ...Cougs Bring Home The Apple Cup!
Saturday in Seattle belonged to the Cougars of Washington State. Yes, the Cougs did it once again. They defeated the Huskies 42-35 before yet another sold out crowd of screaming fans. 
The boisterous, sometimes obnoxious, crowd was on their feet from the opening kickoff to the very last play…an interception by WSU D-back Alfonso Jackson in the back of the end zone.
Though the term is overused, this game was a classic. If you didn’t get a chance to watch it on television, find someone who recorded the game and set aside three hours for pure college football pleasure. That’s right. The game began with fireworks on the kickoff return by Louis Rankin and ended with a bomb thrown by Jake Locker, UDubh players at their best and worst. Sandwiched between those memorable plays were a number of outstanding efforts by both teams.
Alex Brink played brilliantly, despite the commentary by FSN analysts to the contrary. Playing in his fourth Apple Cup, Brink accomplished something no other Coug quarterback has ever been able to do. He lead the WSU offense to three victories over their cross state rival. Amazing stuff for a Coug who recently has been about as popular as the Washington State head man, Bill Doba.
There was no turning point to attribute the outcome to. Though there were questionable plays by both teams, there really weren’t any bad plays. The lead changed hands several times. Whatever team you were routing for, you were on the edge of your seat right up to the final play.
In keeping with blog expectations, it seems appropriate to at least comment on one area that made the difference for the Cougs. It appeared that the defense of Washington State exerted the most leadership for the team. They had their hands full with one of the best college players to come into the PAC-10 in quite awhile in the person of Jake Locker. Just as no defense can possibly stop the talented Locker, the Cougar D slowed him down enough to allow the offense to outscore the Huskies. A tip of the hat is due the defense that played like a team. Individually they probably aren’t comparable to their PAC-10 counterparts, but collectively, they are terrific playing solid team defense.
Though both schools have outstanding coaching staffs, you’d have to concede that the WSU staff made the better adjustments at halftime. After a great second quarter of passing, the Cougs found success running the ball outside throughout the second half. That allowed for a more balanced attack, putting them in position to win the football game.
But who really needs opinions about this, that and the other thing? Facts are facts. The fact that cannot be argued is that Washington State has won another Apple Cup. Let’s savor the moment. This season has ended on a very high note. The bragging rights to college football in the state of Washington have returned to where they belong, Pullman!
Thanks to an awesome effort by the Cougs, we can don our crimson and gray, then strut with chests puffed out for another year!
GO COUGS!!!
Glenn W
November 26th, 2007 at 12:10 am
All right, Lew! A great season of reporting and being Coug fan #1. Yes, that game will indeed allow us to puff out our chests for another year.
And does anyone remember the prase “Couging it”? My goodness, Alex Brink showed us the new meaning of what “Couging it” can be. There can be no better and no more clsssic a finish for a Coug fan than that successful last minute Alex Brink led drive to a touchdown and a victory in hostile Husky Stadium. This guy is now a Cougar immortal. And the defense? Where did those guys come from that not so long ago couldn’t seem to stop a single play. Yes, it was definitely an inspiring team victory. This team didn’t hang on or hold on or luck out to a victory. This team came back from an opening play seven point deficit, and then a ten point deficit. This team got better as the game got on. And boy, did they ever finish by storming to victory at the end.
Kind of warms a Cougar heart.
MarkE
November 26th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Today is Monday…a great day to be a Coug! I proudly wore my Cougar colors all day and missed no opportunity to share my pride in the superb effort of our team. Brink is da bomb! Apple Cup 2007 belongs to WSU!