OREGON 3/0/0/0 - 3
WASHINGTON 0/17/21/0 - 38
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - The rumor of Justin Herbert’s return from injury ran rampant through the Duck fan base after he was seen in uniform on the sideline during the Utah game. And with the rivalry on the line, the Oregon faithful prayed that they would see their hometown hero back on the field when the Ducks traveled to Seattle to take on the Huskies. Unfortunately, it was backup Braxton Burmeister who lined up behind center, resulting in a predictable beatdown against No. 12 Washington on a stormy night.
To Burmeister’s credit, the overwhelmed QB led a confident drive on the opening possession of the game, completing all three of his short passes and picking up 15 yards on the ground to help the Ducks reach the Washington 13-yard line where kicker Aidan Schneider gave Oregon a 3-0 lead. The Duck defense added to the team’s momentum by forcing a 45-yard field goal attempt from the Huskies, which kicker Tristan Vizcaino missed.
Oregon had an opportunity to take a two-score lead on the proceeding drive, but Kani Benoit fumbled at the Washington 16, 10 plays later Vizcaino tied the score with a 34-yard field goal. After a three-and-out from the Oregon offense, Willie Taggart elected to test Washington’s standout returner Dante Pettis by punting towards him; Pettis passed that test with flying colors by returning the punt for a touchdown for the ninth time in his career, an NCAA record.
A Burmeister fumble on third-and-1 was followed by a two-play Huskie drive that ended with a 34-yard Myles Gaskin touchdown run that gave Washington a 17-3 lead. Brady Breeze prevented the scoring deficit from widening by picking off Jake Browning late in the second, but the Ducks’ ball-control strategy was out the window when they fell behind by two scores.
Washington scored on their first three possessions of the second half: a 47-yard pass to Dante Pettis, a 31-yard pass to Lavon Coleman, and a 58-yard run from Salvon Ahmed to put Washington up 38 to 3. Burmeister was picked off by Tevis Bartlett in the fourth quarter to add salt to the wound. Duck fans who traveled to Seattle united in a cheer of support when Oregon won a goal-line stand with 2:55 in the game.
Royce Freeman ran for 122 yards on 24 carries, marking the 29th time the back reached over 100 yards in his career, a new program record. Burmeister finished the contest 7-of-13 for 31 yards. Jimmie Swaid had a career-high in tackles with 13.
"We're taking our lumps now. We'll take 'em. And we'll come back swinging. I promise you that.”
- Willie Taggart
Oregon Offense (total: 278 - pass: 31 - rush: 247)
Washington Offense (total: 451 - pass: 204 - rush: 247)
Oregon Defense (forced turnovers: 1 - INT: 1)
Washington Defense (forced turnovers: 2 - FUM: 1 - INT: 1)
UO (5-5, 2-5) UW (8-1, 5-1)