Jacob Thorpe

Morning links: preparing for Washington's pass rush

PULLMAN – Tonight’s Apple Cup will be a matchup of strength on strength and the trophy will go to the winner of the battle between Washington’s defense and Washington State’s offense. More specifically, the game will likely be decided by whether or not the UW pass rush – No. 2 nationally in total sacks – can throw off the country’s No. 1 passing offense.

WSU wins, can still finish fourth

Morning links: Apple Cup tomorrow

PULLMAN – Steve Gleason will be inducted into the Washington State Athletic Hall of Fame tomorrow as the sole member of the 2014 class. The unprecedented move of recognizing just one former WSU athlete will take place between the first and second quarters of Saturday’s game against rival Washington. “Steve is a tremendous Cougar and his induction Saturday night into the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame is well deserved,” said WSU athletic director Bill Moos in a statement. “With a sold-out Martin Stadium for the Apple Cup, I can think of no better setting to highlight Steve’s accomplishments than in front of a fan base that has admired him for so many years.”

Steve Gleason will be inducted into the Washington State Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday as the sole member of the 2014 class.

PULLMAN – Cooper Pelluer will be in the Martin Stadium stands on Saturday supporting his little brother, Peyton, to a point. Although his brother, a redshirt freshman, will be the starting middle linebacker for Washington State, Cooper Pelluer will be dressed from head to toe in the purple gear of rival Washington.

PULLMAN – California’s rebuild is happening at a torrid pace whether or not the Golden Bears make a bowl game in 2014. Cal has already won four more games than it did a season ago, including three more Pac-12 games, and the team should continue to improve with the return of sophomore quarterback Jared Goff. But a bowl game could accelerate Cal’s improvement by giving the team extra practices, raising the team’s recruiting profile and giving the program notoriety for reaching the postseason just one year after going 1-11.

There was an extra coach on the sideline during Ferris’ football game against Gonzaga Prep on Oct. 31. Saxons alum Connor Halliday made the 80-mile drive from Martin Stadium to Joe Albi after Washington State’s Thursday practice.

Coming to Washington State from California, Cougars linebacker Jeremiah Allison only truly began to understand the nature of the Apple Cup football rivalry between WSU and Washington after he played in one.