By Khalid Bennett
Sports Editor
It didn’t take long for the 5th ranked Huskies to establish a state of dominance against an Oregon State team that came into this game banged up after a tough 19-14 loss last week to at home to 21st ranked Utah.
Oregon State sophomore quarterback Marcus McMaryion got the start for the Beavers against the 7th ranked scoring defense in the nation. Washington’s offense came into the game ranked 3rd in the nation in scoring and it only took them 1:38 to trigger the siren at Husky Stadium as they went down the field in 5 plays capped off by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jake Browning to true freshman receiver Aaron Fuller.
Washington’s second possession was even faster as they went 55 yards on 5 plays with ease in 1:29 ending with a 1 yard touchdown run by Browning.
Oregon State had to do something to keep the game from getting away from them early in the first quarter. The Beaver offense moved the ball methodically through the air with a solid 6 minute drive, only to have it brought to a halt by an active Husky defense thanks to a big tackle by safety Jo Jo McIntosh on a 4th down stand.
Washington took over the football and went right back to work. This time they took their time a bit as Browning found Daunte Pettis for a 23 yard touchdown pass ending a 9 play, 78 yard drive that took 4:14 making the score 21-0 Washington.
The second quarter was much of the same as the Huskies, who had set the tone in the first quarter through the air, looked to establish the ground attack. With a three touchdown lead, Washington felt comfortable getting running backs Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman involved more. Gaskin was responsible for 45 of 47 yards on a six play drive in which he carried the ball 5 times including a 9-yard nifty spinning touchdown run for the highlight reels making the score 28-0.
The big plays on defense didn’t stop and the Beavers had a tough time doing anything positive in the first half. After two straight three and outs, McMaryion was intercepted by junior cornerback Darren Gardenhire to preserve a first half shutout by the defense. A field goal by Cameron Van Winkle gave the Huskies a 31-0 lead going into the intermission.
Oregon State came out in the third quarter determined to reverse their fortune from the first half. The Beavers were able to run the ball with some success. Senior running back Tim Cook was able to gash the Husky defense with 3 big runs of 11, 17, and 19 yards on three consecutive rushing attempts. The drive eventually stalled out as senior linebacker Connor O’Brien was able to get a sack on third and goal to hold Oregon State to just a field goal making the score 31-3.
Washington immediately went back to their quick strike style of offense going 75 yards in 4 plays on their next possession. Browning found Pettis again for a 43-yard touchdown on a play action pass in which the junior receiver waltzed into the end zone.
Oregon State struck back quickly with a 75-yard touchdown run on a fly sweep to wide receiver Victor Boldin to make the score 38-10. Oregon State would find the end zone one more time in the fourth quarter but the damage done in the first half by Washington, was to much for the Beavers to overcome.
Browning finished the game with 291 yards passing and 3 touchdowns in just three quarters of play. Myles Gaskin rushed for 128 yards, while Daunte Pettis and John Ross both eclipsed 100 yards receiving on the day.
The Huskies defense forced two turnovers, which gives them 19 takeaways on the season, top in the conference.
Washington cruises to victory in this one 41-17. They prepare to go on the road to face Utah in a matchup between the two top teams in the Pac-12.
