The 5^th ranked, 9-1 Washington Huskies with coach Don James met the 2-7-1 Washington State Cougars of Jim Walden.  This was the second time the winner of this match-up claimed both The Apple Cup & The Belt; Washington had retained both in the previous game in 1980 with a 30-23 win.  The Cougars had not beaten the Huskies since 1973 & this game seemed to be no different on paper.  A win by the Huskies would send them to the Rose Bowl.  Washington State's RB Tim Harris & RB James Matthews each rushed for more than 100 yards with a touchdown as the 18-point underdog Cougars upset the Huskies 24-20 to claim The Belt & The Apple Cup.  Early in the 1^st quarter, Washington took a 7-0 lead when QB Tim Cowan hit WR Anthony Allen on a 24-yard touchdown pass.  Huskies' All-American PK Chuck Nelson pushed the Huskies’ lead to 10-0 when he hit a 21-yard field goal early in the 2^nd quarter.  Matthews’ touchdown came on a 3-yard run with 2:47 left in the half but Washington responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Cowan to Allen with 1:00 to play in the half leaving the score Washington 17 Washington State 7 at the intermission.  Early in the 3^rd quarter, Washington State's QB Clete Casper found WR Mike Peterson open for a 6-yard touchdown pass before Harris gave the Cougars the lead at 21-17 with a 7-yard touchdown run with 4:43 left in the quarter.  Nelson’s 37-yard field goal got Washington within a point but a 32-yard field goal attempt with 4:35 left in the game which would have given the Huskies the lead was wide right.  It was Nelson first miss of the season after an NCAA record 30 consecutive field goals.  The Cougars were forced to punt on their next drive & Washington had a chance to secure a come-from-behind win.  Washington State's S Rob Treece sacked Cowan who lost the ball & Cougars' S Gerald Waters recovered the fumble for Washington State at the Washington 28-yard line.  With 0:56 left, Cougars' PK John Traut hit a 38-yard field goal for a 4-point lead.  With 0:47 to play, Washington State's LB Mark Pleis intercepted Cowan & the Cougars had secured the upset.  Casper finished with just 44 yards passing with a touchdown as well as 2 interceptions, Harris rushed for 124 yards with his touchdown, & Matthews rushed for 110 yards with his score.  Cowan threw for 241 yards with 2 touchdowns, All-Pac 10 RB Jacque Robinson added 137 yards rushing, & Allen had 9 catches for 140 yards with his 2 touchdowns.  The win by Washington State meant that for the first time in its history, The Belt would not defended in a bowl game.  The Huskies finished the season 10-2; ranked 7^th nationally while the Cougars finished 3-7-1.  Washington would play for The Belt again in 1983.