Huskies Hold Off Washington State 24-10 to Keep the Apple Cup in Seattle

Washington left its season opener relieved rather than dominant, outlasting Washington State 24-10 in the Apple Cup after a game that kept Huskies fans uneasy for long stretches. The victory preserves the rivalry trophy’s home in Seattle, but the performance left plenty for head coach Jedd Fisch to chew on heading into the rest of the schedule.

Slow Start for a hyped offense

Preseason expectations around Washington’s offense were high, which made the first three quarters all the more jarring: just 10 points through 45 minutes. The Huskies went 4-of-12 on third down and came up empty on both of their fourth-down tries, including a goal-line stop from the Washington State 1-yard line on the final snap of the first half. Fisch didn’t hide his feelings on the sideline, tossing his headset and telling NBC’s Zora Stephenson, “This is embarrassing.”

The running game never fully found its footing, finishing with 134 yards. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. actually led the team on the ground with 61 yards on seven carries. Starting back Quaid Carr exited in the first half with an injury, shifting the workload to Jayden Limar, who responded with 47 yards and put the game away with an 11-yard touchdown run late.

Fourth-quarter surge decides it

With Washington State closing to within three in the final period, Washington finally found its rhythm. The Huskies pieced together consecutive touchdown drives that took just nine plays combined, capped by a 35-yard catch from sophomore receiver Chris Lawson that swung the game for good.

The broadcast backdrop

The game aired on NBC, a property of Comcast Corporation (CMCSA). Comcast shares traded at $26.49 in Monday’s session, down 0.64% from the prior close of $26.66, with a market capitalization of roughly $94.4 billion. The company, classified in the Communication Services sector under Telecom Services, has leaned on big-ticket sports rights, including college football, as a pillar of its media strategy — making marquee rivalry windows like the Apple Cup part of its programming inventory.

For Fisch, the opener offered a mixed ledger: frustrating situational execution and an injury to his top back, offset by a veteran quarterback who delivered when the game was on the line and a young receiver who announced himself at a key moment.

What to watch

• Updates on Quaid Carr’s injury status and whether Limar assumes an expanded role.
• Washington’s third- and fourth-down conversion rates in upcoming games as a gauge of offensive progress.
• The Huskies’ next opponent announcement and early-week depth chart releases.
• NBC/Peacock college football scheduling for Washington’s next televised appearance under Comcast’s media division.

Source: original release