The Oregon Ducks played power football against the Washington Huskies and grounded out a 30-27 win in overtime.
Oregon Football looked to make a big dent in the Pac-12 North standings against the Washington Huskies. The Ducks lone loss came against Stanford. Washington has worked their way back into the Top Ten following a season opening loss to Auburn. Entering the weekend, Oregon has had a week off with their bye week coming last week. It has given the team a chance to get healthy.
Justin Herbert starts the game with a different feel than he had two years ago. Then he was a Freshman, and he was literally thrown to the Dogs. Over the two seasons since that game, he has become bigger and a more vocal leader for his team. Saturday could see him take a big jump in the Heisman race with a big game against Washington.
The Huskies came into Autzen with the third best Defense in the nation. Oregon won the coin toss and will defer to get the ball first in the second half giving the Huskies the ball first.
Washington did not have the ball long. On third down, Quarterback Jake Browning went back to pass and was rushed. He threw an interception to Deommodore Lenoir to brought the ball back to the Washington 37 yard line where Justin Herbert and the Ducks took over.
Oregon would find one first down and get to 4th down from the 21. Adam Stack connected on a 39-yard field goal to give Oregon a 3-0 lead.
The Oregon Defense allowed Washington to use Miles Gaskin to get to the Oregon 23 before a delay of game penalty stopped Washington into a 3rd and 9. They did not convert and saw a 41-yard field goal by Payton Henry tied the game at 3.
On the ensuing return, Tony Brooks-James fumbled after a good return, the ball was recovered by the Washington Huskies who took over after several minutes of the Pac-12 Referees getting the call right. Oregon quickly went to work on Defense and had Washington in a 3rd and 10 on their 41 yard line. Browning converted on a pass to the Oregon 30.
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The Washington Huskies scored on the next play with Salvon Ahmed taking the ball 25 yards and into the end zone giving Washington a 10-3 lead with 6:06 remaining in the first quarter.
Tony Brooks-James would not fumble on his next opportunity. He returned the ball to the Washington 41-yard line. Dillon Mitchell picked up where he left off two weeks ago against Cal picking up 21 yards two plays later.
Dillon Mitchell added a touchdown on the drive. Herbert threw the ball across the middle to the five yard line and Mitchell juked his way into the endzone to tie the game at 10 with 1:52 left in the first quarter.
On the next Washington Drive, Drayton Carlberg sacked Jake Browning setting up 2nd and 18 from the Washington 27. It was deemed targeting as Carlberg was disqualified for the remainder of the game. The Huskies set up with a 1st and 10 from the 50 and the Ducks held on first down as the first quarter came to an end.
Washington took over and Ugo Amadi had two key plays on second and third down to force a punt back to Oregon. The Ducks needed to take back the momentum in this game with 9:25 left in the first half. CJ Verdell picked up the first down after back to back carries to bring the ball to the Oregon 42 yard line.
Oregon Football was unable to do much on their next drive punting the ball back to Washington. It felt like a turning point was close for one team. Washington tried a successful double reverse flea flicker and gained 33 yards on an Oregon Defense that was caught off guard. The Ducks Defense again settled down as the drive continued to force a third and short. Shawn McGrew pushed the ball to the Oregon 1.On the next play, Washington scored off the right sight to give Washington a 17-10 lead on Oregon with 3:12 left in the first half. Oregon added a touchdown in the final 30 seconds to go into the break tied with Washington at 17.
The Ducks struggled on their first drive of the second half and were forced to punt. Washington started their first drive of the second half from their own 24 yard line. The Oregon Defense was again up to the challenge forcing a punt. Oregon changed the pace at Running Back putting on Travis Dye. It helped Oregon get the lead.
Travis Dye saw several carries along with Dillon Mitchell with some key passes. CJ Verdell returned to score from one yard out giving Oregon a 24-17 lead over Washington with 5:59 left in the third quarter.
After being nearly stalled by a penalty on their next drive, the Washington Huskies fought back as Jake Browning hit Ty Jones for a 43-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24. Oregon Football was again looking for a spark. Of the contingent of scouts watching the game, Denver Quarterback Great John Elway was in the Press Box, likely keeping a watchful eye on Justin Herbert.
Oregon started the drive with an eight yard gain with Travis Dye at Running Back. The third quarter came to an end with Oregon at the Washington 31 yard line. Oregon continued the drive ending in a missed field goal by Adam Stack.
Washington worked their way to the Oregon 26 facing a 4th and 1. Jevon Holland made the key tackle The Huskies would go for it with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. Oregon would hold and take over on downs.
The game would again come down to Overtime as Oregon found a way to win in the end. After Washington took the ball first and settled for a field goal, the Ducks stayed true to the run game and worked their way down the field. CJ Verdell scored the game winning touchdown as the Ducks won 30-27 giving the Washington Huskies their second loss on the season. With a good part of the nation watching Oregon play on Saturday, expect a jump in the polls on Sunday for the Oregon Ducks.
While this win will be savored by fans for a long time, Oregon will wake up tomorrow getting ready for their next opponent. A trip to Pullman, Washington awaits next Saturday as Oregon visits the Washington State Cougars(4:30 pm PT, FOX)