BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

There's no reason to equate it statistically, this simply is the worse Washington football team ever.

It was another loss Saturday, grounded in the ongoing ineptness the program has displayed. This, though, was worse, losing to the only team perhaps in the nation it could beat.

Saturday's 16-13 double-overtime loss in the Apple Cup places the Huskies at a new level of pathetic. Finally able to run the ball, Washington controlled the clock and line of scrimmage. But, as has been the case all season, any positives were drubbed by Rolex-timely negatives.

The lead gaffe belonged to Washington cornerback Quinton Richardson. Following a late Washington punt -- the most scrutinized decision of the day by Tyrone Willingham -- Washington State trailed by three, 56 seconds remained and 60 yards to go to be within reasonable field-goal range. Washington State had no timeouts.

The Cougars picked up a first down. What followed was a microcosm of the prior four years.

Washington State quarterback Kevin Lopina pump-faked to Richardson's side. Richardson bit. Cougars receiver Jared Karstetter headed upfield.

Richardson is a red-shirt sophomore who has struggled all season. As much as any other player, Richardson has shown no progress. That's his fault and the coaches. A topic lost in this season is the free pass defensive coordinator Ed Donatell has received for his managing of the worst defense in the country.

The fact Richardson plays the majority of the game, every game, shows the dismal level of recruiting. If there is no replacement for every opposing offense's target each week, what does that say?

It also shows how injured the team has been all year. Cornerback Matt Mosely, hurt against UCLA last week, had been playing inspired, if not lockdown, defense. Mosely played well enough that he was taking snaps from Richardson on defense and special teams. With him out, Washington was stuck.

Richardson's basic mistake also came at the worst possible time, a magical confluence the Huskies have mastered like no others.

Once Lopina released the ball following the pump fake, safety Tripper Johnson drifted over to help.

Johnson, a 26-year-old former baseball player that makes for a fun story angle, is older yet inexperienced and speed challenged. He misjudged the hanging pass, one other safeties have a shot to intercept, if not at least knock down.

This ends with two inexperienced players making the wrong play at the worst time. It's happened over and over this season, leaving the Huskies one game away from winless campaign. The third and final field goal for Washington State kicker Nico Grasu allowed Washington to reach a new level of indignity, one of the few achievements it was thought the Huskies had finished with.

Two Washington kickers missed three field goals Saturday.

The Cougars had their longest touchdown on the season when Logwone Mitz ran for a 57-yard touchdown.

Kartsetter's catch more than doubled his receiving yards for the season. The freshman from Ferris High School had 31 receiving yards entering Saturday.

Washington was outscored 16-3 in the second half and overtime, promoting its now time-honored tradition of folding late in games.

With all the injuries and late-game fizzle, strength coach will be another position to take a look at in the offseason.

The Huskies scored only 13 points against a team that allowed 45 or more seven times this season.

Washington was only six points better than Portland State, a Div. I-AA team with a losing record, against the Cougars.

Though the Huskies are off this coming week, it's another scheduling disaster. The bye week at this point is a pile of dirt in the mouth after being knocked down. Since midseason, the players have been asked how they get up for the following week. How do you keep your head up? Where does motivation come from?

Now Senior Day, the Apple Cup and their coach's dismissal is behind them. A trip to see people in trees is the only thing that remains, a distant two weeks away.

When the Huskies land in California let's hope they're wearing sunglasses. It will be the first time they've seen the bright side of things for months.

Box score

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com