College CenturyLink Field

the university of washington against united states air force academy in 2005

centurylink field has hosted several college football games. hometown washington huskies played 2005 season opener against air force falcons @ stadium in tyrone willingham s first game head coach. in 2011, university of washington began $250 million renovation husky stadium, huskies , washington state cougars played 2011 apple cup @ centurylink field. huskies played entire 2012 home football schedule @ centurylink field.

except in 2010, stadium hosted washington state cougars non-conference home game each season between 2002 , 2014. included 86th battle of palouse against idaho vandals in 2003. cougars , crowds ranged 30,927 63,588. centurylink field 300 miles (500 km) university. university s athletic director said 50,000 need attend make worth moving game pullman. cougars went 6–6 in annual game. games generated additional revenue invested in facilities football program while increasing exposure western side of state.

in april 2009, proposed annual apple cup between seattle-based huskies , pullman-based cougars hosted @ centurylink field six years beginning in 2010. 2 programs not reach agreement on how divide tickets. pullman s business community had expressed concerns playing game away area detrimental local economy.

qwest field hosted 2002 seattle bowl, in wake forest beat oregon 38–17. inaugural seattle bowl played year earlier @ safeco field, game discontinued when organizers not secure financing before 2003. later attempts revive seattle bowl unsuccessful. seattle sports commission pushing proposal of new bowl game. in 2008 business plan begun game in 2010 fundraiser seattle children s hospital.

lower division ncaa teams have played @ stadium throughout years. 2003 2008, division ii football teams western washington university , central washington university met each year in rivalry game called battle in seattle . central won 2004 game, , each meeting attracted more 11,000 people. western discontinued football program after 2008 season, central came agreement continue series western oregon university games in 2009 , 2010. battle in seattle vii saw central make comeback win 23–21 in front of 5,374.

on october 31, 2009, division fcs eastern washington university eagles played home game in seattle first time. along goal of drawing alumni metropolitan area, athletic directors both eastern washington , washington state had expressed importance of connecting alumni @ receptions , other events on western side of state. billed showdown on sound , game 47–10 victory on portland state vikings. according eastern s athletic director, qwest field s rental $50,000 day.