2015 Apple Cup: Game Grades, Analysis for Washington State vs. Washington

With the Washington Huskies needing a win to get bowl eligibility, head coach Chris Petersen showed why he was worth the contract extension into 2020 on Friday, routing No. 20 Washington State 45-10. 

The Pac-12's best defense lived up to its name in the 2015 Apple Cup, forcing seven turnovers against a WSU offense led by backup quarterback Peyton Bender. 

With that, let's check out the grades for each team's positional units. 

Washington Huskies

Rush Offense: A

Led by true freshman running back Myles Gaskin, who racked up 138 yards and two scores on 32 carries, the Huskies set the tone of the game offensively by pounding the ball. Washington finished with 241 yards and three scores via the rushing attack while exposing a weak Cougar front line.  

Pass Offense: B

Jake Browning was undoubtedly efficient today, going 14-of-20 through the air for 203 yards although not having a single touchdown. Browning wasn't asked to do much today, and that's not a knock on him. The defense scored three times, and his rushing attack added another three. Browning's only job was to manage the game and ensure the momentum stayed with Washington, which he did. 

Rush Defense: A+

The Washington defensive line is owed dinner by the entire Husky fanbase—but don't, because NCAA—after their performance against the Cougars. Washington State had just 31 yards rushing on 12 carries, including minus-18 by Peyton Bender. That forced the backup quarterback to go to the air much more than even Washington State coach Mike Leach normally likes to, and that was a recipe for disaster. 

Pass Defense: B+

When your opponent passes the ball 58 times, you're bound to give up some yards. But the Huskies secondary still allowed just 288 yards and one touchdown through the air, while also picking Bender off twice. Both interceptions were taken to the house as well. 

Special Teams: D

This was one glaring area of concern for the Huskies, who were just 1-of-3 on field-goal attempts and also gave up a decent kick return. Perhaps with little to no pressure, it was tougher for the kickers to lock themselves in for the kicks. They grade out bad here, but it is essentially meaningless in a 45-10 rout. 

Coaching: A

Chris Petersen needed today's win to secure a bowl bid for the Huskies, and he delivered it in glorious fashion by routing his squad's in-state rival. This is exactly the type of game that buys you supporters and was the perfect ending to the regular season. 

Washington State Cougars

Rush Offense: F

What is there to say? Thirty-one yards on 12 carries is abysmal. Washington State's lack of a rushing attack forced Peyton Bender into 58 throws and ultimately buried the Cougars. 

Pass Offense: D

Perhaps we're being bit harsh on Bender. After all, he was a late sub for a scratched Luke Falk. But he still looked completely overmatched in the Pac-12, throwing two interceptions and only gaining 288 yards despite 58 pass attempts. Five fumbles lost surely didn't help his team either, but Bender clearly needs more grooming. 

Rush Defense: D

The Cougars defensive front was unable to contain Myles Gaskin and Co., giving up 241 yards on the ground as well as three scores. While it was the Huskies defense that ultimately put the game away, Washington controlled the pace of the game on the ground throughout the tilt. 

Pass Defense: C-

The secondary, despite only being asked to defend 20 passes, still gave up 203 yards through the air, although it did have one interception. Jake Browning is by no means an elite-level quarterback in college football, yet he was the perfect game manager against a mediocre secondary. 

Special Teams: B

A missed field goal is what is penalizing the Cougars in this category. Washington State's return game actually was impressive on Friday afternoon, but its offense just couldn't take advantage. 

Coaching: D

Mike Leach had built up a lot of support over the course of this season, winning eight games and being ranked 20th in the country. Had it not been for one loss to Stanford, the Cougars would have entered today playing for a berth into the Pac-12 title game. Instead, fans across the state will leave the regular season with a far lesser opinion of Leach than they had 24 hours ago.