Huskies blank the Cougs in Apple Cup win

Coming into the 102nd Apple Cup, neither Washington nor Washington State had much to play for, but with a 1,000 yard season within his reach, redshirt freshman RB Chris Polk carried the Dawgs to a 30-0 shut out of the Cougars in front of 68,697 fans at Husky Stadium.

Things started slowly for both teams, but Washington managed to begin to pull away behind the running of Polk as well as the arm and legs of Jake Locker who threw for 196 yards and a touchdown while scrambling for 94 yards and a touchdown as well.

The Huskies got great field position midway through the first quarter when LB Mason Foster stepped in front of a Kevin Lopina pass at the Cougar 29 and ran it back to the 13 before he was brought down.

Even with the great starting spot, Washington was unable to do much and settled for a 24-yard Erik Folk field goal to get the early lead but then managed to get a Locker to Jermaine Kearse 50-yard touchdown connection early in the second.

Folk added another field goal, this one coming from 46 yards out, and Washington headed into the locker room leading 13-0 at the half.

The Huskies added a one-yard Polk touchdown plunge and Locker's 15-yard touchdown scamper as well as Folk's third field goal on the night and the Huskies had their first Apple Cup win in three years and first at home since 2003.

While Washington dominated offensively, rushing for 265 yards and throwing for 196, their defense was probably the biggest reason they coasted to the win holding the Cougars to a woeful 163 yards of offense, including just 53 yards and three first downs in the second half.

Defensively the Huskies were led by Foster's 10 solo tackles while LB Cort Dennison notched eight and his first sack and LB Josh Gage, DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE Darrion Jones and LB Trenton Tuiasosopo each posted a sack as well.

Kearse had four receptions for 94 yards while FB Paul Homer had four more receptions and WR Devin Aguilar posted three catches for 48 yards as well.

Washington will now prepare to finish their season next week on a high note as they play host to California who was idle this week after beating Stanford last week in their annual rivalry game.