Rome Odunze caught seven passes for 120 yards with two touchdowns, and his 23-yard, fourth-down run on the final possession helped set up Grady Gross’ game-winning field goal from 42 yards as No. 4-ranked Washington closed out an undefeated regular season in a 24-21 defeat of rival Washington State, Saturday in Seattle.

The Huskies (12-0, 9-0 Pac-12 Conference) came into the 115th edition of the Apple Cup having already clinched a berth in next Friday’s Pac-12 Championship Game, but sought to maintain their inside track on reaching the College Football Playoff.

Facing fourth-and-one at its own 29-yard line with 1:14 left, Washington went for it and appeared to be stuffed when running back Dillon Johnson ran into the line. But Johnson sold a fake as the wide receiver Odunze went end-around for a long gain.

A roughing the passer penalty on Ron Stone Jr. — one of three pivotal flags in the fourth quarter — moved Washington further into Washington State territory and provided some cushion to remain in Gross’ range despite quarterback Michael Penix Jr. taking a nine-yard loss on a sack before the attempt.

Gross’ made field goal came from nearly the same distance as the 43-yarder he missed earlier in the game.

Washington State (5-7, 2-7), needing a win to reach bowl eligibility, gave Washington all it could handle. Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward went 32-of-48 passing for 317 yards with three touchdowns, each to a different receiver, including a game-tying, eight-yard strike to Lincoln Victor to set up a 21-21 fourth-quarter tie.

Ward’s third touchdown throw came as a result of the first key penalty called in the final period. Washington State was able to capitalize on Washington’s Dominique Hampton with a leaping call on a field-goal attempt.

What was initially a made Cougars field goal to cut the Huskies lead to 21-17 instead led to the equalizing touchdown.

Washington State regained possession with a chance to move ahead after forcing a three-and-out, but a holding penalty against the Cougars negated a would-be first-down run in Huskies territory.

Penix finished 18-of-33 for 204 yards with the two touchdown connections to Odunze — one of 40 yards and the other for 21 yards — and an interception. Johnson, who scored on a first-quarter goal-line carry, ran for 82 yards.

Josh Kelly finished with 106 yards on eight receptions for Washington State and scored on a 21-yard reception. Kyle Williams caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ward, who was also intercepted twice.

With the win, Washington became the first team to complete an undefeated regular season in the Pac-12 since the conference’s last year with 10 members, 2010. Oregon, which saw its 2023 team seal a berth in the Pac-12 Championship with its win over Oregon State on Friday, was the last program to accomplish the feat.

–Field Level Media

Washington State ended a seven-game skid in the Apple Cup last season and looks to upend the season of No. 13 Washington when the fierce rivals meet in Pac-12 play on Saturday night at Pullman, Wash.

The Huskies (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12) still have an outside chance of reaching the conference title game but a loss would end that pursuit.

Washington enters with a five-game winning streak but first-year coach Kalen DeBoer has noticed a coveted piece of hardware is missing.

“We definitely don’t have that trophy in our trophy case right now,” DeBoer said. “I know that it means a lot. It is one of those two games that all of Husky Nation circles each year and we are looking forward to having a great week. I think that we are playing for a lot of stuff, it is not just that trophy.”

DeBoer has set the school record for most victories by a first-year coach and he was rewarded Tuesday with a contract extension through the 2028 season. His salary for next season was increased by $1 million to $4.2 with annual $100,000 raises to follow.

A big part of Washington’s rise is due to the stellar season put together by Indiana transfer quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Penix leads the nation with 3,869 passing yards, which ranks second in school history behind Cody Pickett’s 4,458 yards in 2002. Penix has tossed 26 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Penix passes praise around in the same manner as his 66.7 completion percentage.

“My season wouldn’t be possible without this team,” Penix said. “I don’t really talk about just myself in general. It’s always about this team because team success would definitely put light on individual success.”

“At the end of the day, no matter what you do as an individual, if your team isn’t winning it’s no good.”

Washington State (7-4, 4-4) has won three straight as it looks to beat the Huskies in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2007-08.

The Cougars have won just six of the past 23 Apple Cups but put on a dominating show last season when they won 40-13 in Seattle. Washington State intercepted four passes and held Washington to just 200 yards.

“I thought they played free,” Cougars coach Jake Dickert said of the impressive win. “I thought that’s a big thing in a rivalry game, in a perceived big moment. Guys got to go cut it loose and be themselves and have fun and understand it’s going to be a little chippy. … Enjoy the moment. Be present in it.”

This is the first Apple Cup for Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward, who has passed for 2,772 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.

While he said he is eager to add his name to the list of quarterbacks who won the Apple Cup, he also insisted Saturday’s matchup isn’t any bigger than any other game.

“There is a lot of energy around the building,” Ward said. “For me specifically, it’s just another game. I try to approach each and every game the same. This game has a bigger tag and has bigger history behind it and we want to win it for Washington State and all the Cougs out there.”

Washington State ranks 23rd in scoring defense at 19.8 points per game with star linebacker Daiyan Henley (102 tackles, 12 for losses) leading the way.

–Field Level Media