Hanson (Jason) Vs. Hanson (Travis) -- Oh, Brother! -- Spokane Siblings Kick Off Apple Cup Rivalry

Nurturing brotherly love, while admirable, is not always easy.

Ask Travis Hanson.

The University of Washington freshman place-kicker was confronted by an incident a little more than a year ago that made him realize following in his brother's cleat marks was not going to be easy. His brother, Jason, is a Washington State junior and reigning All-America kicker.

When Jason kicked four field goals against Brigham Young last season, including monster boots of 58 and 52 yards, Travis said he was proud of his brother.

``But then the next day it was like everyone in the world was twice as proud of him as I was,'' Travis said. ``That's all I heard about for weeks. That's when I first realized that, `Man, I've got a monkey on my back.' It got a little bit annoying.''

It was then that Travis might have wished his older brother was an offensive tackle. Anything but a kicker.

``But I've learned to take it for what it is,'' Travis said, ``and people ask questions and I answer them. And I am proud of him and I'll support him in every way.''

And that support, which has been practiced on a two-way basis, will continue Saturday when the Hanson brothers of Spokane make Apple Cup history - and probably some field goals - in Pullman. The first pair of sibling kickers to be clad in opposing jerseys during the annual cross-state battle between Washington State and Washington are anything but symbols of the rivalry.

They get along.

``We don't have a competitive relationship at all,'' Travis said. ``We're just going to have fun, play the game and do our jobs.''

Said Jason: ``I'm not going to compete against Travis, I'm going to compete for myself. I hope Travis does really well. I just hope they lose.''

Among the 40,000 fans watching in Martin Stadium will be the brothers' parents, Cheryl and Douglas, of Spokane. And the fact they'll be sitting among Cougar fans has absolutely nothing to do with favoritism. Jason was able to get them tickets for better seats.

``They're just going to have as much fun as Jason and I,'' Travis said of his parents.

Cheryl said her sons have had fun for years, ever since Travis, who is two years younger, quit

antagonizing Jason when Jason entered junior high school.

Now?

``We're both real supportive,'' Travis said. ``We talk once or twice a week. We exchange information and just visit as brothers. We encourage each other. He's been real supportive of me and I think I, too, have been supportive of him.''

Travis benefited from the relationship earlier this season, when he was struggling in an effort to unseat Mike Dodd as the Huskies' starting place-kicker.

``There were times when I felt, `OK, bag this season and start up in the spring and prepare for that,' '' Travis said. ``Jason just kept saying, `No, you're going to get your chance.' ''

Travis' chance came three games ago, and he has been No. 1 ever since, although senior punter Channing Wyles continues to kick off. Travis hopes to add that job next season.

Jason and Travis have followed virtually the same road in athletics. Both were excellent soccer players.

``Their leg strength was obvious from the time they were little,'' Cheryl said. ``It always seemed like they could kick farther than the other kids.''

Jason went out for football as a sophomore at Mead, where he established himself as a quality place-kicker as a junior.

``And that was fun for me to see,'' Travis said. ``Then, when he started getting some college attention, I started getting some interest and thinking, `Maybe I could do that, too.' ''

So Travis became a place-kicker as a Mead sophomore.

Cheryl said Jason at first wanted to become a Husky but wasn't offered a scholarship at Washington. Then, last February, Travis rejected an offer to join his brother at Washington State and became the first high school senior place-kicker to be offered a Husky scholarship in the 16-year reign of Don James as coach. Until then, Husky kickers earned scholarships after ``walking on.''

Travis said he and Jason are ``pretty much'' self taught. They don't kick the same, however, because Jason's legs are longer.

``I'm more of a power-set type - straight on. He gets way out there and uses his hips,'' Travis said. ``But, I think we both have the same mind-set and approach kicking with basically the same attitude.''

Which is?

``It's not go out and aim . . . it's not, `OK, I need to do this and put my leg this way and stuff.' It's just take your steps, pick a spot behind the uprights and kick it,'' Travis said.

After making his first two field-goal attempts as a Husky - 42 yards against California, 40 yards against Arizona - Hanson missed his only attempt (45 yards) against UCLA last Saturday.

``I think I got a little bit anxious,'' Travis said. ``It wasn't a bad hold, but I got there so quick that the holder didn't have a chance to give me a good hold. It was my fault.''

Saturday's game may be the only time the Hansons play against each other in college. Jason said he may make himself available in the NFL draft next spring.

``But the possibility of staying at WSU far outweighs the possibility of leaving,'' Jason said. ``I've got a lot I want to do in college. I'm very excited about next year.''

And he's exited about Saturday's Apple Cup and a chance to kick in the same game with Travis, who also is excited.

Oh, brother.

....................................

THE KICKING HANSONS / BIOS

JASON HANSON

Ht./wt.: 6 feet, 178 pounds

Age: 20 (born June 17, 1970)

Year: Junior, two-year letterman.

Career: After bettering several WSU records, was named to most All-America teams as a sophomore. Twice kicked four field goals in one game (vs. BYU and vs. Arizona) last season. Has kicked two 58-yarders.

Season stats: Has made 28 of 28 point-after kicks and 16 of 24 field-goal attempts; leads WSU in scoring with 76 points, and averages 45.5 yards as a punter.

Future: Pre-med major; will consider making himself eligible for NFL draft next spring.

TRAVIS HANSON

Ht./wt.: 6 feet, 178 pounds.

Age: 18 (born March 6, 1972)

Year: Freshman.

Career: After making 5 of 7 field-goal attempts (including one from 49 yards) and 23 of 23 point-after kicks as a Mead High senior, he became the first entering freshman to be awarded a UW football scholarship since Don James became head coach in 1975.

Season stats: Since becoming the UW's No. 1 place-kicker at midseason, has made 15 of 15 point-after kicks and 2 of 3 field-goal attempts.

Future: Expected to be the Husky kicker for three more seasons; an outstanding student considering majoring in business or psychology.