Apple Cup Notebook | Tough act begins at joint rally

Whether or not the 100th Apple Cup game turns out to be special, the pregame buildup certainly has been.

A Boeing-sponsored luncheon Friday at the Qwest Field Events Center drew hundreds of Washington and Washington State fans.

They were friendlier to each other than players on the two teams were to their opponents. Players already had their game faces on when they walked through a balloon archway on the stage that was half purple and gold and half crimson and gray. Only a few looked at each other.

Fans were entertained by both bands, and heard from both presidents, both coaches and two players from each side.

Wide receiver Michael Bumpus of WSU told the audience that the game is "a chance to beat up on the boys in purple for about 60 good minutes Saturday."

Defensive tackle Jordan Reffett of Washington said, "We're going to be getting after it like no other time."

Two other players were asked about their favorite Apple Cup moments.

Huskies running back Louis Rankin said his 77-yard touchdown run last year in Pullman "was the best moment of my life," and added, "I'm looking forward to doing it again."

Cougars quarterback Alex Brink said his favorite moment was "throwing the winning touchdown pass to Trandon Harvey over here in 2005."

Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham, who will be in his fourth Apple Cup, considered what it takes to win the annual game.

"As we know, this football game sometimes calls for more emotion than talent, but it will probably be the combination of those two that get it done tomorrow," he said.

Cougars coach Bill Doba said he never will forget winning in Husky Stadium in 1997 and mentioned one postgame moment. After a long celebration, Doba walked through the tunnel to find Huskies quarterback Brock Huard "standing there waiting to congratulate me."

"I had recruited Brock, and I thought that was an outstanding show of sportsmanship," Doba said.

Mark Emmert, UW president who grew up in Fife and went to the school he now heads, drew a laugh.

"I come from a broken home — my brother went to WSU," he said.

"What a great tradition it is that brings this entire state together," Emmert added. He called the Apple Cup "a marvelous part" of life in Washington.

Resting up

Bob Robertson, WSU's 78-year-old radio announcer, missed Friday's special Apple Cup luncheon but describes himself as "probable" for today's game.

"I have a cold, and I'm kind of raspy," Robertson said. "I stayed home to rest up."

Robertson had been scheduled to be a co-announcer at the luncheon with UW play-by-play man Bob Rondeau.

Pete Isakson, WSU associate athletic director, pinch-hit for Robertson at the luncheon.

Murchison out

The UW secondary, which figures to be tested often today, will be down one player as junior cornerback Jordan Murchison is unlikely to play after suffering a high ankle sprain in practice Thursday.

Murchison was on crutches when players were introduced onstage at an Apple Cup rally Friday.

Note

• At the luncheon, the result of fan voting for the favorite Apple Cup plays was announced. The WSU choice was the famous 1992 44-yard touchdown pass from Drew Bledsoe to Phillip Bobo, who slid into a snowbank in the 42-22 win. The Huskies' choice was Corey Williams' 21-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Cody Pickett that was the go-ahead score with 1:10 to play in the 27-19 Huskies win in 2003.