SEATTLE — The names changed. The script remained the same.
A lot of Washington defense mixed in with just enough offensive punch. And plenty of frustration from Washington State after its high-scoring offense was shut down by its rival, again.
For the seventh straight year the Apple Cup will reside in Seattle after Washington once again stymied the Cougars, rolling to a 31-13 victory on Friday. Jacob Eason threw for 244 yards and one touchdown, and ran for another, and Richard Newton scored on a pair of short TD runs for the Huskies.
But as it has for several years, the difference was Washington’s defense managing to keep the best scoring team in the Pac-12 grounded. The Cougars were held 28 points under their season average. Anthony Gordon threw for 308 yards, but after the first drive of the game when Max Borghi scored on a 1-yard run the Cougars never again found the end zone.
The Huskies (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12) have relished in their ability to stymie and solve the Air Raid offense, and after beating Washington in his first season in charge in Pullman, Mike Leach has yet to develop a counter.