Ah, memories. That’s what rivarly week will do to you, the fan. So many memories come back this week, for both sets of fans, and it’s always fun to reminisce.
One Apple Cup that doesn’t get a whole lot of mention is the 1994 game, played in Pullman on a cold evening on the Palouse. It’s like everyone talks about the ’92 game or the ’97 game, but you just don’t hear a lot about 1994. Granted it wasn’t a great game, as the Cougs would steamroll UW 23-6. UW was on probation that year, so there wasn’t really anything on the line for them, other than pride. The Cougs came into the game at 6-4, struggling after a couple of losses to USC and a really bad Oregon State team in Corvallis.
But even with an offense that was incredibly difficult to watch, oh, that defense. Mark Fields was Pac-10 defensive player of the year that year. Chad Eaton, Don Sasa, DeWayne Patterson on the line, Ronnie Childs and Chris Hayes running wild at linebacker, the secondary led by Singor Mobley, Torey Hunter, John Rushing.
But you know what? It wasn’t just those names. And it wasn’t just the the top-5 rating in the nation in categories like rushing defense or scoring defense. It was the WAY they played defense, the aggressiveness, the attitude, the swagger. They were so fast, so strong, so physical. And wow, did they make people PAY the price for carrying the ball! Damon Huard took an absolute beating in the first half and was replaced in the third quarter after throwing for about 40 yards. But that defense, it was just so much DAMN FUN to watch!
That 1994 game was also the play where tight end David Knuff ran OVER the UW safety, Lamar Lyons. I know some of you have asked about that play, and yeah, it was this game.
So, what heck – how about roughly 15 minutes of video from that game, for your viewing pleasure?? Enjoy after the read more!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUnlxQoKNDQ&w=425&h=344]
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
