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 15, 2024

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. 2: How will Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies fix that disastrous penalty problem?

If you ask Washington Husky football fans what went wrong against Washington State, the vast majority are likely to point out that bizarre coaching decisions (like swapping quarterbacks when it’s not necessary) and penalties were the biggest issues for UW in the Apple Cup on Saturday.

And I think I would definitely agree with that sort of sentiment, especially when talking about all of the issues that Washington had with penalties on Saturday. UW couldn’t get out of its own way in the Apple Cup and that routinely allowed the Cougars to get momentum, continue drives, and put Washington in tough positions.

In total, Washington was flagged for 16 penalties (that’s 10 more times than Washington State was flagged) and the Huskies were penalized with 135 yards (that’s 90 more penalty yards than what Wazzu had).

That is a massive issue. And while it would be convenient to point out that the refs may have been a bit one-sided in enforcement, that explanation alone wouldn’t tell the full story for the Huskies and Cougars. UW looked undisciplined at various times and the Huskies will have to get that fixed sooner rather than later.

Otherwise this first season under Jedd Fisch’s leadership is going to have some rather frustrating moments later down the line.

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