The Husky Haul
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3 big questions from Washington Huskies’ frustrating Apple Cup loss to Wazzu

Things didn't go well in the Washington Huskies' Apple Cup loss to the Washington State Cougars. Now we've got a few question that Washington definitely needs to answer.

By Ethan Lee

Sep 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Giles Jackson (5) catches a pass over Washington State Cougars defensive back Tyson Durant (5) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Giles Jackson (5) catches a pass over Washington State Cougars defensive back Tyson Durant (5) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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No. 1: If Washington is going to use both quarterbacks, can it be in a more effective manner?

For some reason, Jedd Fisch and Brennan Carroll decided to use something of a two quarterback system in the 2024 Apple Cup. I’m not entirely sure why, but it’s something they did even though they absolutely did not have to. Will Rogers was effective, completing 23 of his 31 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown. No picks. No problems. 

But, for some reason, Fisch and Carroll wanted to use two quarterbacks in a game that was close and frustrating all throughout.

And there were two main examples of this that were absolutely perplexing and caused major problems for the Huskies as they tried to get a win from the Cougars.

In the first half, as the second quarter was winding down, after Rogers scrambled for a 17-yard gain for the Huskies, he ended up getting taken off the field and the drive ended up stalling. Washington State then had enough time to march down the field in a hurry and score, putting them up 17-13 at halftime. 

And then obviously there was that bizarre play call at the end of the game when the Huskies decided to run an option play with Will Rogers. And while Rogers is a bit quicker than most people are willing to give him credit for, he’s nowhere near good enough of a runner to entrust the game to with an option play when faced with a 4th-and-goal sort of situation from the 2-yard line late in the fourth quarter when out of time outs.

Especially when, in that situation, you’ve got an incredibly good running back like Jonah Coleman who you could attempt to use in a more conventional manner and try to pick up two yards. Or you could trust Rogers’ arm on a play action pass.

But asking him to run an option play to the short side of the field is just setting him up for failure. 

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