Apple Cup: Huskies At Cougars -- Perfect Play Made Perfect Day -- Al Burleson's Late-Game 93-Yard Interception Return In 1975 Sparked The Most Amazing Husky Comeback In Apple Cup History.

Alvin Burleson has a line in the Husky record book and a metal desk in his modest office.

At work, he wears a parka with the name "Al" embroidered on the chest over a purple shirt and tie. The jacket cuts the chill of the giant freezers that house his livelihood. He is an assistant manager at Associated Grocers, in charge of a kingdom of frozen and perishable foods, some that sit in hangar-sized rooms set at 23 degrees.

The name on his jacket tells people what to call him, although around here, most know who Al is. He was co-captain of the 1975 University of Washington football team, which in its last game of the season scored 14 points in the last three minutes to beat Washington State 28-27.

And usually in the middle of November, as the Apple Cup game approaches, folks jokingly ask for his autograph.

"They joke with me a lot," Burleson, 40, said. "I guess I got to take it."

By making the perfect play, at the perfect time, Burleson became some sort of sports immortal. Though he has accomplished far more since that rainy day at Husky Stadium, no one act in his life has commanded as much attention.

He played professionally for seven years in the Canadian Football League. He and his wife Valerie raised four sons, Al Jr., Kevin, Nate and Lyndale. He sometimes works 12-hour days and coaches AAU basketball in his spare time.

But he intercepted a pass and returned it 93 yards, a UW record that still stands. The interception return started what would become the most amazing Husky comeback in Apple Cup history.

"I'm more reminded of that one play than any other," Burleson said. "The real importance of didn't hit home until years later, probably after the CFL, because I was always out of town. Right around this time of year, coaches bring it up, neighbors ask about it. It's by far, by far, become the biggest play of my life."

Big enough that Washington Coach Jim Lambright, then coach of the defensive backs, remembers every fine detail.

"It was raining sideways," Lambright said. "There were only about 10,000 people left because everyone had left thinking the game was over. We were on the far hash mark. They were ahead by two touchdowns."

Former Washington State Coach Jim Sweeney remembers the name of the quarterback who pleaded with him to pass, only to throw the fateful interception to Burleson.

"John Hopkins was our quarterback," said Sweeney, now the coach at Fresno State. "It was fourth and one. We were getting 5 yards a carry on the fullback wedge because they were defending the option every play. I wanted to run the ball. If we scored, great. If we didn't, they'd get the ball deep in their own territory. But John tells me our tight end Carl Barschig has been open every time for the counter option pass."

Sweeney and Hopkins went back and forth several times, Sweeney insisting the team run, Hopkins begging to pass. Sweeney took one last look at Hopkins' "cow eyes" as the team lined up and finally gave in.

Watching this exchange was Burleson, who knew the Cougars were going to try something to "rub it in." Still, Burleson could not believe the Cougars were going to pass.

He saw Hopkins fake the handoff and drop back. Burleson's assignment was the tight end. He immediately knew what was coming - a quick lob over the middle to Barschig.

"My eyes got as big as coins," Burleson said. "When he pulled back, I knew they were going for the hot pass. Probably my strongest suit, even in the pros, was reading my keys."

As Burleson sprinted toward the pass, Sweeney could only think, "My God, what have I done."

Burleson, soaked to the skin, fought to lift his feet out of puddles. But with 20 or 15 yards to go, he knew he had the touchdown and held the ball high.

"More than 90 percent of coaches would have gone for a field goal," Burleson said. "I was really shocked. It turned out to be a foolish mistake."

Sweeney was scared to death. WSU's next drive stalled, and Sweeney feared the punt would be blocked. When it wasn't, he breathed easy. Washington was held for two downs at its own 22. On third down, quarterback Warren Moon scrambled before throwing long. The pass was tipped to Spider Gaines, who took it in for a 78-yard touchdown.

That game was to be Sweeney's last as coach of the Cougars. The team finished 3-8.

"I still say I didn't get fired," Sweeney said. "I left for health purposes. The alumni were sick of me."

Still, Sweeney's Cougar ties go deep. He has five children who went to school there. His wife used to work in the bookstore, even bought textbooks for players who couldn't afford them.

"She never told me until after we left," Sweeney said. "It's an NCAA infraction, but they'll never get me on that now."

Sweeney won 26 games in eight seasons at WSU, none more important than the three he won against Washington in 1968 (24-0), 1972 (27-10) and 1973 (52-26).

"I thought if we just beat the Huskies, it would help recruiting," Sweeney said. "It didn't make a difference. It took me four seasons to get one player the Huskies wanted."

Notes

Napoleon Kaufman, nursing a sprained big toe, had almost a full practice yesterday. Coach Jim Lambright expects Kaufman to start. Returning to the team was punter Geoff Prince, who was in California attending the funeral of a friend. Despite Prince's shaky game last week, Lambright will let Prince punt against WSU.