After finally getting ranked in the Top 25 Oregon State had a few great chances to put this game away early, but instead let the Huskies hang in there until they finally got it all together in the 4th Qtr, holding the Beavers scoreless while putting 10 points up on the score board to squeak by 24-21. Washington won the toss and deferred to the 2nd half. Oregon State came right down the field on a five minute, 75 yard nine play drive to go up 7-0 on a DeShaun Fenwick 3 yard TD run. Unable to move the ball on their first possession the Huskies have to punt after gaining just 17 yards on five plays. The Beavers once again move the ball as easily as they did on their first possession. 63 yards, 12 plays, and 6 minutes later find themselves at 4th and 2 at the Washington 7 yard line. Instead of the easy three points they go into their Wildcat formation with a direct snap to Jack Colletto, a play which has been very successful for them this year, who runs for no gain. After forcing Washington to punt on their next possession, a punt that actually lost 8 yards, Oregon State found themselves in position to put up another easy field goal at 4th and 3 on the Washington 15 yard line. This time it was an incomplete pass by QB Ben Gulbranson that turned the ball back over to the Huskies. But this time Washington would tie the score at 7-7 on a 15 play 85 yard drive with 4:23 left in the 2nd Qtr. After holding the Beavers to just five plays and 15 yards, Washington gets the ball back at their own 20 yard line where on their 2nd play QB Michael Penix-Jr throw up a pick six. Beavers up 14-7 at the break.
Both teams started the 3rd Qtr with a three-and-out but Washington tied the score at fourteen a piece on their 2nd possession of the 3rd Qtr on a 24 yard pass to Jack Westover from Penix-Jr. Oregon State came right back to take the lead again on an 11 play, 79 yard six minute drive and DeShaun Fenwick 19 yard TD run to go back up 21-14. After an Everett Hayes 61 yard kick-off for the Beavers and 30 yard return by Cameron Davis, the Huskies start their next drive 1st and 10 from their own 34 yard line. After 24 yards in passing by Penix-Jr and 42 yards on the ground by Cameron Davis and Wayne Taulapapa, including his 4 yard run into the end zone the score is tied again, 21-21. After a three-and-out by both teams and an Oregon State punt with just 4:33 left in the 4th Qtr, Washington goes on an 18 play 92 yard drive that takes all but 8 seconds off the clock. Sitting at 4th and 13 at the Oregon State 5 yard line, Washington Place Kicker Peyton Henry connects on a 22 yard field goal to put the Huskies up 24-21 for good.
Washington converted their third downs at a 60%+ pace going 11-of-18; led in 1st Downs, 24-to-18; led in Total Yards of Offense, 398-to-262—especially in passing, 298-to-87; but trailed in rushing, 100-to-175. Oregon State backup QB, Freshman Ben Gulbranson, who started his fourth straight game in place of starter Chance Nolan who suffered a head/neck injury against Utah on October 1st, connected on over 60% of his passes but for less than 100 yards, no TD’s and no interceptions, The Huskies were more prolific on the ground in this one, rushing 40 times for 175 yards and 2 TD’s with Freshman RB Damien Martinez picking up most of the yards at 107 on 19 carries and Junior RB DeShaun Fenwick picking up both of the scores.
With a road game coming up for Washington next Saturday, November 12th, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene the Huskies have a chance to put a dent in Oregon’s perfect 6-0 conference record while the Beavers head back home to Corvallis where they are undefeated this year to take on Cal and should end up with their best record overall since the 2012 team under Head Coach Mike Riley who were 9-4 with a ranking of 20th in the final AP Poll.