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"It means a lot," Washington coach Kalen DeBoer
said of winning what is likely the last Pac-12 title since 10 of
the league's 12 teams will be playing in different conferences
next season. "For us to do it how we did it against a great
football team ... we knew it would take everything we had. We
couldn't be happier. I'm just so proud of these guys and excited
about what's to come."
The Huskies went up 34-24 with a 2-yard touchdown pass to
Quentin Moore with 2:44 left, but Oregon (11-2) responded in
just two plays and 30 seconds. Bo Nix hit Traeshon Holden on a
deep crossing pattern, and Holden battled his way into the end
zone, tight-roping the sideline near the goal line for a 63-yard
touchdown.
The ensuing onside kick bounced out of bounds, giving Washington
the ball at its 45-yard line. The Huskies made two first downs
to run out the clock in a dream rematch of a regular-season
meeting won 36-33 by the Huskies in Seattle on Oct. 14.
Johnson finished with 152 yards and two touchdowns on 28
carries, and he also threw a TD pass in the first half.
"I'll do whatever it takes for this team," Johnson said. "We
were the more physical team."
Penix made a final case for the Heisman Trophy, completing 27 of
39 passes with one touchdown and one interception, earning game
MVP honors in a contest full of big momentum shifts. Washington
was up 20-3 late in the first half before Oregon responded with
21 consecutive points to take the lead with 1:51 to go in the
third quarter.
Washington answered with Johnson's 1-yard touchdown run with
12:23 remaining.
Penix outdueled Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the game
as the Heisman betting favorite. Nix completed 21 of 34 passes
for 239 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Washington's Jalen McMillan caught nine passes for 131 yards.
Teammate Rome Odunze had 102 yards on eight receptions.
Oregon, which trailed 20-10 at halftime, climbed right back into
the game on the first possession of the second half, aided by
two gutsy fourth-down decisions.
The Ducks converted fourth-and-5 at their 47 and then went for
it on fourth-and-goal from the 2, where Nix found Terrance
Ferguson over the middle for a touchdown.
After an exchange of interceptions, Oregon took the lead on
Jordan James' 6-yard TD run late in the third quarter.
--Field Level Media
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