On December 2nd, the #3 ranked Washington Huskies took on their across-state rivals, #5 ranked Oregon Ducks, for the PAC 12 Championship and a chance for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. This would also be the two teams’ last time to win a PAC 12 Championship as they intend to move to the Big 10 for the following season.
First Half
3 minutes into the game, the Washington Huskies quarterback, Michael Penix, threw a pass to Jalen Mcillian for a gain of 22 yards. They would continue to drive down the field until they were faced with a long 3rd and 16. From there, a good defensive play made by Oregon’s Tysheem Johnson forced the Huskies to settle for a 38-yard field goal from kicker Grady Gross to put them up 3-0. The following possession for Oregon ended with a 3 and out and a punt. On the punt return, Huskies Germie Bernard evaded tacklers and was knocked out of bounds at the 50-yard line for a 30-yard return. Two plays later, Dylan Johnson rushed the ball for 14 yards putting Washington inside the 30. Later in the drive Dylan Johnson would go on to score a 5-yard touchdown to increase the Washington lead 10-0. Two possessions later, quarterback Bo Nix found Tez Johnson on the pass for a gain of 17 yards to keep their drive alive. They would continue driving the ball down the field until they were stopped on 3rd and 4 on Washington’s 18. Oregon’s Camden Lewis would go on to score a 35-yard field goal to put Oregon on the scoreboard 10-3. The following possession, Washington’s Rome Odunze caught a pass near the sideline for a 21-yard gain. Two plays later, Michael Penix launched the ball to Jalen McMillan for 44-yards to put them inside Oregon’s 5-yard line. Germie Bernard would go on to score during the following play to make the score 17-3. Oregon was then forced to punt the ball with less than 5 minutes left to go. Rome Odunze would catch a pass for a gain of 26 yards. Later in the drive, Washington would kick a 37-yard field goal to go up 20-7. During the first play of Oregon’s possession, Tez Johnson caught a 20-yard pass turning it into a 38-yard gain. With 15 seconds to go in the first half , Terrance Ferguson caught the ball one-handed to score Oregon’s first touchdown closing out the half 20-10.
2nd Half
To start the second half, Jordan James rushed 16 yards up to the Oregon 41 to start the Ducks drive. Three plays later, Oregon was forced to a 4th and 5 but succeeded in moving the ball to the first down. Two plays later, Jordan James received a pass for 25-yards putting the Ducks in scoring position. On 4th and goal, Terrance Fuerguson received another touchdown pass to make the score 20-17. On 1st and 10 Oregon’s Khyree Jackson intercepted Michael Penix’s pass to give Oregon the ball back. Less than a minute later,Washighton’s Mishael Powell intercepted a pass from Bo Nix to give Washington another opportunity. On a 4th and 2 Oregon’s Nikko Reed would blitz off the end to sack Michael Penix to force a turnover. Bo Nix, on 2nd and 3, took off down the sideline for a 45 yard-gain and put Oregon inside Washington territory. Jordan James would then score a 6-yard rushing touchdown to give Oregon the lead 24-20. Before the half ended, Micheal Penix threw a pass to Jalen Mcillian for 29 yards. From there, Dylan Johnson scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give Washington back the lead 27-24. Bralen Trice went on to sack Bo Nix and give Washighton back the ball. Ja’Lynn Polk then made a diving catch of 36 yards to keep the Washington momentum alive. Ja’Lynn Polk would go on to make another catch of 25 yards to keep the drive alive. With less than 3 minutes left, Quentin Moore scored a 3-yard touchdown to go up 34-20. The next possession on 1st and 10, Traeshon Holden scored a 62-yard touchdown making the score now 34-31. From then on Washington would go to drain out the clock and win their last ever PAC 12 Championship over the Oregon Ducks.
