Predictably, no tears were shed from the Washington Huskies' end hearing the news that the Apple Cup is moving to Qwest Field starting in 2010.

And why would there be? The UW gets to play the intra-state rivalry game for the next seven years in Seattle, including one this season at Husky Stadium before the new six-year agreement takes effect.

"It's definitely a privilege to play (at Qwest Field) because that's where our local professional team plays," Huskies safety Nate Williams said. "Either way, I just want to line up and play. I don't care if it's here, there or wherever."

The decision to move it to a neutral site means the likes of receiver Jermaine Kearse will never get another opportunity to play in Pullman's Martin Stadium again, or in quarterback Jake Locker's case, he won't ever play there, period.

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Apparently, the coaching staff won't be the only new addition to the 2009 University of Washington football season.

On Friday, the Huskies athletic department announced a new FieldTurf playing surface will be installed in May, replacing the existing synthetic field that was laid down in the summer of 2000.

The cost – $350,000 – will come out of the department's operating budget.

"The existing field in Husky Stadium has certainly served our program well for the last nine years," UW athletic director Scott Woodward said. "But, the reality is that the surface has exceeded its projected lifespan and needs to be replaced."

Forty-two NCAA stadiums have FieldTurf as their football surface. For more information, the official UW press release has more details.