Hot Cougar Action: Huskies return 1,600 tickets for 2012 Apple Cup

The 2012 Apple Cup is a week away and while there is plenty on the schedule to get to before we turn our attention to the Huskies, there was some Apple Cup news on Thursday.

According to a report from Howie Stalwick, Washington returned 600 tickets this week to go along with the 1,000 tickets they already returned. This means the Huskies sold just 2,400 of their 4,000 ticket allotment. The 12:30 p.m. kickoff on the Friday after Thanksgiving was expected to hurt attendance, but then there is this:

Host Bud Nameck says on Leach coaches show only 323 tickets remain for Apple Cup. #WSU #UW

— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) November 16, 2012

The report from Nameck may be hard to believe, but WSU said in August only 3,000 Apple Cup tickets remained, so it does seem possible. Now, whether or not all 33,522 people will attend the game is another story. Regardless, it doesn't sound like many Huskies will be making the trip to Pullman.

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Football

Same old practice, but new notes - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 15, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — Thursday practices are downright routine around here — especially with WSU preparing for its 11th game of the season — so there really isn't much to report from a news standpoint. But since we weren't able to pass along anything from our conversation with offensive line coach Clay McGuire last night — basketball duties and all — you can read it here now.

WSU attrition not unusual after coaching change - Spokesman.com - Nov. 16, 2012
PULLMAN – A post-spring meeting with defensive coaches spelled the end of Ian Knight’s career at Washington State.

Huskies return more Apple Cup tickets " Kitsap Sun
PULLMAN — The Washington State Cougars said Thursday that more returned tickets from Washington have left the Cougars with more than 1,000 tickets for next Friday's Apple Cup.

What WSU could learn from Mike Tyson's ear-biting incident | Crosscut.com
The news that Washington State's athletic program and the Pac-12 Conference were beginning separate investigations into Marquess Wilson's controversial departure from the Cougars football program, called to mind one of the most bizarre episodes in sports history. One for which I bore witness on behalf of the Seattle P-I: The 1997 heavyweight fight in which Mike Tyson chose to make an appetizer of Evander Holyfield's ear.

Counterpoint: Mike Leach is exactly what the Cougars need | Seattle PI Sports Blog - seattlepi.com
There has been so much criticism of Mike Leach lately for allegedly abusing his players at Washington State, including a recent rebuke by Jerry Brewer of The Seattle Times , that it appears to be time for a counterpoint. Take it from a Coug: Mike Leach is exactly the kind of head coach the Cougars need.

Men's Basketball

WSU plays lowly Waves - Spokesman.com - Nov. 16, 2012
Men’s basketball: The competition might not be increasing yet, but Washington State’s first road game of the season could offer a warm-up for what’s to come.

Pepperdine Waves Vs. Washington State Cougars: 11/16/12 Tyrone's Free College Basketball Pick Against the Spread " Sports Chat Place
The 0-2 Pepperdine Waves go from falling 79-62 at the 2-0 California Golden Bears to hosting the 2-0 Washingon State Cougars.

Shorewood's Hawkinson Commits to WSU Men's Hoops Program - Shoreline-Lake Forest Park, WA Patch
Last winter, Josh Hawkinson proved that he was one of the top high school basketball players in the Puget Sound region. Now, he’ll get the chance to refine his skills against the competition of the Pac-12, after signing a National Letter of Intent to play at Washington State.

WSU Athletics

The Badger Herald: Wisconsin heads to Northwest for first road tests
"Washington State, they beat us last year, so you want to get some payback there and prove that, ‘Hey, we’re just as good,’" Kelsey said. "We may not have played as well last year, but this is a different year with different players."

Cougars Sign Six Swimmers - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Six student-athletes have each signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in women's swimming at Washington State, Cougar Head Coach Tom Jager announced, Thursday.

Stephens signs to play for Washington State
Tani Stephens always had a dream of being a Division I volleyball player. It wasn’t until last year when the West Albany senior started getting letters in the mail from big schools that she realized it could happen. It became reality Thursday morning when she signed her letter of intent to play at Washington State on a scholarship.