Huskies Part Ways with 2028 San Jose State Football Game
It probably was no more than coincidence, but a day following Troy Dannen's introduction as University of Washington athletic director, Husky football went through a schedule change.
A home game against San Jose State in 2028 was dropped. It probably won't be the last non-conference game that gets jettisoned either.
With the Huskies joining the Big Ten, they'll play nine league games a year, alternating with four and five home contests.
This leaves the UW with three non-conference games to fill each season and, after a precursory look at its football schedules through 2030, other matchups might not hold up.
San Jose State previously visited Husky Stadium for 10 games between 1958 and 2006, and lost every time. The 1996 game was noteworthy because UW running back Corey Dillon set an NCAA record by rushing 15 times for 222 yards in the first quarter alone.
The Spartans had joined Eastern Washington and UNLV as UW non-league opponents for 2028, each under contract to visit Seattle in September. The reason for cancelling out the San Jose State game was not immediately clear.
However, with the break-up of the Pac-12, the UW possibly could use this playing date to face Washington State in a makeshift Apple Cup if possible.
Asked about preserving the Apple Cup, Dannen said the Huskies foremost need to play a minimum of seven home games each season in order to be able to compete as a Big Ten member.
As a result, the Apple Cup might have to be played in Seattle each year, if not sporadically.
"I don't want to lose history and traditions," Dannen said. "I also know we have this economic model, particularly as we move to the Big Ten, where we're playing with people that frankly have an economic model that, I won't say is far superior but it is far greater. Seven home games is part of the economic model that we have to have."
The Huskies still are seeking another non-conference opponent to fill out their 2024 schedule, which shows Weber State and Eastern Michigan visiting next September.
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