Washington State reclaims Apple Cup with late stand to top Washington 24-19

SEATTLE (AP) — The night before the strangest Apple Cup in recent memory was contested at a neutral site and as a non-conference meeting for the first time in more than 60 years, Kingston Fernandez was given a task.

Washington State head coach Jake Dickert wanted cigars for the coaching staff to celebrate should the Cougars prevail. And he tasked his assistant director of operations with making sure they were on hand.

“I texted him yesterday and said, ‘don’t tell any of the coaches, but be ready,'” Dickert said, with his celebratory cigar sitting on the table in front of him.

The Apple Cup was reclaimed by Washington State on Saturday behind three total touchdowns from quarterback John Mateer and a late goal-line stand in a 24-19 win over rival Washington.

Mateer ran for two scores and threw for another, and the Cougars stopped Washington on a fourth-and-goal running play from the 1 with 1:07 remaining to take home the Apple Cup trophy for just the third time since 2008.

It will be housed on the third floor of the Washington State football complex. Dickert would like to keep it there permanently.

“I think we might retire this trophy. I think it's a Pac-12 trophy. I think that might stay in our place a long time and we'll bring a new one next year,” Dickert said.

The realignment chaos of the past year threatened to end the rivalry game with Washington now in the Big Ten and Washington State's Pac-12 uncertainty. The Cougars did find some future security this week with news that the Pac-12 is starting to rebuild thanks to the addition of four schools in 2026.

But winning the game felt more meaningful to the Cougars after being left out in the reshuffling of schools, conferences and allegiances. And while purple may have outnumbered crimson in the crowd for the game played at Lumen Field, the Cougars were the ones celebrating on the field at the end.

“Coach kept saying we worked 9 1/2 months for this moment, just trust our preparation and everything," Mateer said referencing last November's 24-21 loss to the Huskies. “Looking back on those 9 1/2 months to come out here and perform, and it wasn't our best, and we still got it done.”

Mateer ran for touchdowns of 23 and 25 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown to Josh Meredith in the third quarter that gave the Cougars (3-0) a 24-16 lead. Mateer finished 17 of 34 passing for 245 yards and added 62 yards rushing.

The 25-yard touchdown run came on third-and-20 in the final seconds of the first half and was a significant momentum swing that gave the Cougars a 17-13 halftime lead. The TD capped a 91-yard touchdown drive and Washington State never trailed again.

“End of the half and end of the game, we let up seven points on third-and-20 and we didn't score on fourth-and-1 one the 1. That's the story,” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said.

The fourth-and-1 play Fisch referred to will be debated for a long time in Apple Cup lore. The Huskies reached the Washington State 10 and on third-and-goal, Denzel Boston was forced out at the 1, setting up the final play.

Following a time out, the Huskies called an option play to the short-side of the field and Jonah Coleman had nowhere to go, getting stopped for a 2-yard loss.

“(Washington's) not really a speed option team, for them to run that I was kind of surprised," Washington State defensive lineman Andrew Edson said. "But, you know, we stopped it.”

Coleman, who topped 100 yards rushing in the first two games of the season, was limited to 75 yards on 14 carries. Will Rogers threw for 314 yards and a touchdown for Washington (2-1) and Giles Jackson had eight catches for 162 yards, including a 31-yard TD in the first quarter. But the Huskies were forced to settle for field goals on three trips inside the Washington State 25 and that proved the difference.

“It's never fun losing, especially to a rival, and just kind of feeling the pressure of the success some of my other teammates have had," Rogers said. "I want to win, that's all I really care about.”

Washington State: The Cougars will lament some of their fourth-quarter execution on offense. Mateer threw one interception, nearly threw another, and the Cougars threw incomplete on third-and-10 with 3:46 left. Not only did Washington State not get a first down, but the clock stopped.

Washington: After being fairly clean with penalties the first two games, Washington’s discipline was awful. The Huskies were called for 16 penalties — third-most in school history — for 135 yards. Several were critical calls that kept drives alive for the Cougars.

Washington State: The Cougars will host San Jose State on Friday.

Washington: The Huskies open Big Ten play hosting Northwestern next Saturday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Washington State wide receiver Josh Meredith (18) leaps for a touchdown against Washington defensive back Dyson McCutcheon (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. Washington State won 24-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A Washington State fan holds up a sign during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. Washington State won 24-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) greets head coach Jake Dickert, right, as they celebrate a 24-19 win over Washington in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State defensive tackle Bryson Lamb (99) holds up the Apple Cup Trophy while celebrating with offensive lineman Noah Dunham (75) and running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker (15) after beating Washington 24-19 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State head coach Jake Dickert holds up the Apple Cup trophy as Governor Jay Inslee, right, and wife Trudi Inslee, second from right, clap after Washington State won 24-19 over Washington in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State quarterback John Mateer holds up the Apple Cup trophy to celebrate a 24-19 win over Washington in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State head coach Jake Dickert looks over at the Apple Cup trophy as Governor Jay Inslee, right, and wife Trudi Inslee, center, present him with the trophy to celebrate a 24-19 win over Washington after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A general view of Lumen Field as Washington State plays Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) throws against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch looks down at a play sheet during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) runs for a touchdown against Washington defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez (50) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Will Rogers (7) throws against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson (5) makes a touchdown catch against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State running back Wayshawn Parker (21) reacts to making a catch against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A general view of Lumen Field as Washington State plays Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State quarterback John Mateer reacts after running for a touchdown as wide receiver Kris Hutson (1) runs to greet him during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are holding near their records ahead of an announcement that’s expected to kick off a series of cuts to interest rates meant to keep the economy out of a recession. The S&P 500 was little changed in early trading Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 71 points, or 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite was 0.2% higher. Treasury yields rose in the bond market ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on rates. Now that inflation has been easing, the U.S. central bank is widely expected to cut its main interest rate for the first time in more than four years.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

Wall Street ticked slightly higher early Wednesday as markets awaited an expected interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the first in more than four years.

Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrials were each up less than 0.1% before the bell.

The Fed’s announcement comes later Wednesday, with the overwhelming expectation on Wall Street that the U.S. central bank will lower the federal funds rate. The rate has been in a range of 5.25% to 5.50% for more than a year.

The Fed began raising rates in early 2022 — 11 times in about 17 months — in a bid to stifle the four-decade high inflation that rooted during the U.S. economy's unexpectedly swift rebound from the COVID-19 recession of 2020.

It’s unclear just how large the Fed’s rate cut will be, but Wall Street traders and some economists foresee a growing likelihood that Fed officials will announce a larger-than-usual half-point cut. Many analysts are predicting a more typical quarter-point rate cut.

With inflation barely above their target level, Fed officials have been shifting their focus toward supporting a weakening job market and achieving a rare “soft landing,” whereby it curbs inflation without causing a recession. A half-point rate cut would signal that the Fed is as determined to sustain healthy economic growth as it is to conquer high inflation. This week’s move is expected to be only the first in a series of Fed rate cuts that will extend into 2025.

Lower rates would help boost the slowing economy, as it has become increasingly more expensive to borrow money for everything from houses to cars to corporate debt.

Tupperware Brands fell 7.5% overnight after the iconic food storage company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Orlando company — which had a brief resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were holed up at home and cooking for themselves — plans to continue operating and will seek court approval for a sale.

Consumer-facing genetics research company 23andMe Holding Co. tumbled more than 9% after seven independent directors resigned from the board. In a letter to CEO and Board Chair Anne Wojcicki, the board members expressed frustration that management had not produced “a fully financed, fully diligenced, actionable proposal that is in the best interests of the non-affiliated shareholders.”

Shares of 23andMe, which has yet to turn a quarterly profit since going public in 2021, are trading for about 31 cents apiece.

Microsoft announced that it was partnering with asset management company Blackrock and technology investor MGX to raise $30 billion for new and expanded data centers to meet demand for computing power used in artificial intelligence applications. Shares of Microsoft and Blackrock were largely unchanged in premarket.

Elsewhere, in midday European trading, France's CAC 40 slid 0.4% and Britain’s FTSE 100 shed 0.6%. Germany's DAX inched down less than 0.1%.

The Bank of Japan and the Bank of England are also holding monetary policy meetings later this week. But neither central bank is expected to move on rates, although the language of what the officials say could be an indicator of later moves and still influence markets.

Asian markets advanced. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.5% to finish at 36,380.17. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was virtually unchanged, inching up less than 0.1% to 8,142.10. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.1% to 2,575.41.

Trading was closed in Hong Kong for a national holiday. The Shanghai Composite index edged 0.5% higher to 2,717.28.

Japan reported its trade deficit totaled 695 billion yen, or $4.9 billion in August, down 26% from a year earlier, according to the Finance Ministry, recording a deficit for the second month straight.

Exports totaled 8.4 trillion yen ($59 billion), up 5.6% from the same month the previous year. Shipments to Asia rose while exports to the U.S. fell. Imports totaled 9.1 trillion yen ($64 billion), up 2.3% from a year earlier. By region, imports from European nations, in categories such as pharmaceuticals, showed the strongest growth.

Both numbers fell short of forecasts for 10% growth in exports and and even higher increases for imports.

The Japanese yen has gained in value against the U.S. dollar in recent weeks, helping to boost the country’s purchasing power.

The dollar slipped to 141.90 Japanese yen from 142.34 yen. The dollar had traded at levels over 150 yen earlier this year.

The euro cost $1.1121, up modestly from $1.1117.

In energy dealings, benchmark U.S. crude declined 51 cents to $69.45 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 50 cents to $73.20 a barrel.

A bus passes the Wall St. subway station on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

The New York Stock Exchange, with a banner for American Eagle Outfitters, is shown on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

A person stands near an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People stand near an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People stand in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A person rides a bicycle in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)