STORY: Oregon Football Guts Out a Colossal Victory over UW, 35-31

#12 Oregon Football stormed into Seattle and battled from start to finish, earning a 35-31 victory over the #25 Washington Huskies.

Oregon started the game strong, scoring on the opening drive on a 12-yard pass TD to Spencer Webb to go up 7-0. Washington would respond quickly, as Salvon Ahmed dashed into the endzone on a 9-yard score to end the first quarter tied 7-7. The second quarter saw more offense, beginning with an explosive 48 yard TD pass from Jacob Eason to Jordan Chin to put the Huskies up 14-7. Later in the second quarter, Jaylon Redd scored from 16 yards out to tie the game 14-14. Washington’s offense marched down the field once again, finishing a drive with a 5 yard TD catch from Andre Baccellia. Washington went into the locker room break up 21-14.

Out of halftime, the Ducks came out flat, surrendering a 4 play, 74-yard drive ending in a 33 yard TD by Puka Nacua to increase the lead to 28-14 early in the third. It was due or die time for the Ducks, but they responded on the ensuing drive with a Cyrus Habibi-Likio 14 yard rush TD to cut the UW lead to 28-21. Later in the quarter, Peyton Henry connected a 30-yard field goal to put Washington up 31-21. The biggest drive of the game came next, as Oregon connected on two 4th downs, including a 4th down 36 yard TD pass to Mycah Pittman on the last play of the quarter, making it 31-21.

After an explosive third quarter from both teams, the defenses were stronger in the fourth. Oregon broke the ice with 5:10 left in the fourth, as Herbert found Jaylon Redd for a 5-yard score, giving Oregon the lead back 35-31. The Ducks made a critical stop late in the fourth quarter and took a knee to walk away with a gutsy 35-31 victory.

Justin Herbert (24-38, 280 yards, 4 TD) out-battled Jacob Eason (23-30, 289 yards, 3 TD) in the passing attack. Johnny Johnson III (5 rec, 90 yards) and Jaylon Redd (5 rec, 36 yards, 2 TD) were his main targets, while Cyrus Habibi-Likio (14 att, 81 yards, TD) stepped up in the second half in the rushing attack. While Salvon Ahmed (24 att, 140 yards, TD) was big for the Huskies, Oregon’s offense produced 434 yards against Washington’s 414.

With the win, Oregon moves to 6-1 on the season and 4-0 in Pac-12 play. The Ducks will be back in Autzen Stadium on Saturday, 10/26 as they host the Washington State Cougars, kickoff at 7:30 PM.

Game Stories:

Mycah Pittman’s First Career Touchdown Proves to be Pivotal Momentum Shift (By: Bill Braker)