Washington was the host for one of the fiercest rivalries in the PAC-12 conference as the Ducks of Oregon traveled from Eugene ranked 4th in the College Football Playoff poll and looking to add to their resume. The Huskies are coming off a big win at Stanford that keeps their conference title hopes alive but they would need a big win over Oregon to realize that goal.
The defense for Washington would get the momentum on their side early forcing a turnover on Oregon’s first drive. Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown was picked off by linebacker Carson Bruener who returned it 60 yards to the Oregon 6 yard line. This set up Sean McGrew to punch it in with 2 carries to give Washington a 7-0 lead. The Ducks notched a field goal on their next possession making it 7-3 but the defense wasn’t done coming up with big plays. After a 65 yard punt was downed at the 1 yard line, Washington recorded a safety that gave them a 9-3 lead going into the second quarter. While Washington’s offense was in hiding unable to pick up a first down, the defense continued to stifle the normally explosive Oregon offense. The Husky defense was having success stopping the very strength of the Oregon offense and that was the run. Needing to make an adjustment, Oregon started testing the Husky secondary. With new found success in the passing game, Anthony Brown found wide receiver Jaylon Redd on a deep ball and running back Travis Dye moved the Ducks down the field with a 13 yard run and a 6 yard first down catch out of the backfield before Brown hooked up with Devon Williams with a 31 yard touchdown to give Oregon a 10-9 lead with just over 5 minutes to go in the half. Washington desperately needed to find their offense in the second half. The Oregon offense found their rhythm and the Husky defense could only hold them off for so long without help from the offense.
Washington started the second half with the ball and it resulted in an all to familiar 3 and out. Travis Dye was able to get free again with another big run for 45 yards setting up a 3 yard touchdown run by Anthony Brown and the Ducks increase their lead 17-9. It was at this point that the #4 ranked team in college football would look like the #4 ranked team in college football. The Huskies tried everything from going up the middle, wide runs, screens, and deep passes, but nothing was successful. With the game still within one possession late in the third quarter, the offense needed a spark. With he rain coming down hard going into fourth quarter, the Ducks continued to work on a spent Washington defense and Travis Dye found the end zone on a 19 yard run that pretty much put the game out of reach, Oregon 24, Washington 9. The Huskies were able to put their first real scoring drive together and went 75 yards in 3:40 with Sean McGrew scoring his second touchdown from 3 yards out to make the score 24-16 Oregon with just under 12 minutes remaining in the ball game. Oregon kept the ball on the ground and unlike the success that the Washington defense had in the first half stopping the run, it was just the opposite in the second half. Oregon was able to rack up over 300 yards on the ground for the game. The offensive woes continued even late in the game for Washington. After another 3 and out, Washington gave Oregon a safety with a botched snap on a punt giving Oregon a 10 point lead and a final score 26-16. Washington will be at home again next week to take on Arizona State.
