PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Jake Locker made up for two critical turnovers by throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse with 44 seconds left, and Washington became bowl eligible for the first time in eight years with a 35-28 win over rival Washington State in the 103rd Apple Cup on Saturday night.
After the Huskies (6-6, 5-4 Pac-10) blew a 28-14 fourth-quarter lead, Locker led them on an 88-yard drive, capped by his fade-route pass to Kearse that beat Washington State cornerback Nolan Washington. It was the second time Locker and Kearse hooked up for a score, as the duo connected for a 66-yard TD on the third play of the second half.
Washington running back Chris Polk ran for a career-high 284 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns. Polk’s total was the second most in Washington history, behind Hugh McElhenny’s 296 yards against Washington State in 1950.
Jeff Tuel threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns for the Cougars (2-10, 1-8), who now wait to see if the narrow loss is enough to save coach Paul Wulff’s job.
