Washington State Cougars triumphed over the Washington Huskies in the 116th Apple Cup, winning 24-19 in a non-conference game held at Lumen Field. Quarterback John Mateer shone with two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown, contributing significantly to the Cougars' victory. The win was marked by a crucial defensive stand, as Washington State halted the Huskies on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with just over a minute left in the game. This match, significant for being the first non-conference meeting since 1961, raised questions about the future of the rivalry amid conference realignments, though the Pac-12 is set to expand in 2026. Coach Jake Dickert celebrated the win enthusiastically, suggesting the trophy might be 'retired' at Washington State. Despite the crowd favoring Washington, the Cougars celebrated their hard-fought victory, marking only their third win in the last 15 encounters with the Huskies since 2008.