Washington offense overcomes early struggles in Apple Cup win

SEATTLE (AP) — Despite his obvious frustration, Washington coach Jedd Fisch had a few compliments for his offense after it scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to finish off a 24-10 victory over Washington State on Sunday in the Apple Cup.

It was markedly different from Fisch’s mood a few hours prior, when he had some harsh words after the Huskies failed to score a touchdown on fourth-and-1 from the 1, which would’ve put them ahead 17-0.

“We’ve got to run the ball a lot better than we’re running the ball, we’ve got to hit passes that we’re not hitting,” Fisch said during his halftime sideline interview. “We’ve got to continue to play great defense, but we’ve got to score some points. It’s embarrassing right now.”

While the defense shined, holding Washington State to an 0 for 11 mark on third down and finishing with eight tackles for loss, the offense struggled early on. The Huskies gained 186 total yards in the first half, 78 of them on the ground.

Things finally clicked in the fourth when quarterback Demond Williams responded to a Washington State touchdown by hitting Rashid Williams for a 44-yard completion to the 2. The pair then connected for a touchdown two plays later.

Williams then hit Chris Lawson for a 35-yard reception on Washington's next drive, setting up an 11-yard rushing touchdown from Jayden Limar with 2:18 remaining.

“I thought in the fourth quarter, the offense really turned on and did a fantastic job,” Fisch said. “A couple drives of touchdowns, drives that changed the field position, and I was proud of the way Demond played today.”

Williams threw for 115 of his 268 yards passing in the fourth quarter while completing all six of his attempts. As a team, the Huskies averaged 12 yards per play in the fourth.

“I don’t think we started the way we wanted to, for sure,” Williams said. “But it’s really just going back to the drawing board, and understanding our preparation. When we needed it the most in a 10-7 ballgame and being able to respond in back-to-back drives and understanding that, I think it just speaks volumes of our team.”

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Washington wide receiver Rashid Williams (3) reacts to scoring a touchdown against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (1) jumps to celebrate scoring a touchdown with running back Jayden Limar (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Rashid Williams scores a touchdown past Washington State defensive back Jaylen Thomas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington defensive end Isaiah Ward reacts after recovering a fumble against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (1) rushes against Washington State, including defensive end Matyus McLain (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Germany on Monday will challenge claims at the United Nations’ top court that it is “facilitating” acts of genocide in Gaza by providing arms and other military support to Israel.

Nicaragua, which launched the case at the International Court of Justice, accuses Berlin of violating the Genocide Convention and international humanitarian law. While the case centers on Germany, it indirectly takes aim at Israel’s campaign in Gaza in response to the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.

Israel, which isn’t a party in the proceedings, strongly denies that its actions amount to acts of genocide.

Monday’s hearing at the court in The Hague will address questions raised by Germany over whether the court has jurisdiction in the case.

The conflict left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and devastated the enclave. Despite a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States last year, violence has continued. Since the ceasefire was announced, Israeli fire has killed more than 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza. Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed.

Germany has been a staunch supporter of Israel for decades and is the second-largest supplier of arms to Israel after the United States.

Berlin denies Nicaragua's allegations. The head of Germany’s legal team, Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, told judges during an earlier hearing that Nicaragua’s claims “have no basis in fact or law.”

Last year, Germany stopped authorizing any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza but later lifted those restrictions.

In 2024, the court rejected an emergency request from Nicaragua to order Germany to halt military and other aid to Israel in Gaza, but the 16-judge panel declined to throw out the case altogether.

The proceedings are the latest legal attempt to rein in Israel’s military campaign by a country with historic ties to the Palestinian people, after South Africa accused Israel of genocide at the same court in 2023.

In January 2024, judges at the ICJ ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. Two months later, the court told Israel to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including opening more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies.

South Africa says that Israel largely ignored those orders.

Both South Africa’s case against Israel and Nicaragua’s case against Germany allege violations of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The convention was drawn up in the wake of the Holocaust to codify a new crime: genocide.

A team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council and the largest professional organization of scholars studying genocide have both concluded that Israel is violating the treaty but only an international court can make a legal determination.

Proceedings at the ICJ can drag on for years. In 2007, the court ruled that Serbia “violated the obligation to prevent genocide” in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, when Bosnian Serb forces rounded up and murdered some 8,000 mostly Muslim men and boys in eastern Bosnia.

In May, the court set a November 2027 deadline for South Africa to file its written pleadings and gave Israel until May 2029 to reply. Hearings on the core question of the case — whether Israel committed genocide in Gaza — likely won’t be heard until late 2029 at the earliest.

In separate proceedings at the International Criminal Court, also in The Hague, which tries cases against individuals rather than between nations, judges have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with the conflict.

The pair are charged with crimes against humanity, not genocide. The court said it found that there was reason to believe they used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny.

In response, the United States has issued sanctions against many senior court staff, including nine of the ICC’s 18 judges.

FILE - The logo of the International Court of Justice displayed on the judges' bench, in The Hague, Netherlands, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)